My apologies to all.

The catfish is resilient and requires little for survival. It is most popular in the USA in the Southern US, hence it was adopted by Nashville, which is in the southern United States. It also has been thrown out initially in Nashville’s history in response to octopi thrown out on Nashville ice by Red Wing Fans. And so, in that regard is has even more meaning for the Nashville Predator fans. I don’t think that the fans of the Nashville Predators have concern for what others think of this particular developing tradition, nor should they.
As far as the ‘you suck’ chants after goals, it is something Nashville has done, and I would like to say that it originated in Nashville, however it is heard in a mulitude of sporting arenas, encompassing multiple sports, and multiple cities. Also, speaking specifically to hockey, the New York Ranger fans have had a chant since the 1970′s involving a whistle chant followed by ‘Potvin Sucks!’, and this occurs randomly and multiple times per game. Noone in the NHL(other fans, analysts, critics) bemoans this chant, in fact it is a novelty. So if one were to remark on that specific chant in Nashville, now having been done for 13 years, one would have to then remark on where that word is used country wide. I am not particularly fond of any use of you suck, personally, but this is hockey after all, not the symphony or tennis. Would I want my children hearing this? No. If and when I take my children to a sporting event, if that word is chanted or cheered in some way, will I explain to my children that it is not what I, personally condone, and they should not participate. When they become adults, I hope that that education proves to be effective enough. If I find it to be too harsh for my children to hear on a regular basis, then I WONT TAKE THEM TO SPORTING EVENTS WHERE THIS IS A REGULAR CHANT. However, I hope that my edification is enough to teach them context of its use. Others will have to handle this particular issue as they see fit.
Lastly, in my first reply to your post, I commented specifically on Nashville’s attendance as compared to Phoenix, a non tradtional market. These statistics, as I referenced, are easily viewed at ESPN.com. However, in my second reply to this particular thread, I also made mention of the fact that in viewing thses numbers, one can also say that Nashville compares faviorably to ALL other nontraditional hockey markets, not just Phoenix. I am sorry if that part of my second reply was not clear enough. Other posts on this thread make other salient points to demonstrate further that Nashville is certainly a hockey town.

Supporting a team just because they are in the playoffs is one thing, supporting them all season long is another. Citizens of Smashville are dedicated. Walk down Broadway before a game and all you see is gold, they play games outside the arena beforehand, get the fans pumped, it’s amazing.

In the South, football is about as sacred as Jesus, but I haven’t ever had as much fun at a tailgate as I do at a pre-Nashville ice hockey game!

At least the Detroit Octopus has a reason/meaning… catfish??? Please. What’s the message? Mud sucking?

Finally – if you want to prove that type of a point….NEVER compare your market to the Coyotes. Who doesn’t look good compared to Phoenix? And… why wouldn’t it be fair to compare?

/GratuitousZing!

If you were watching the cat fish’s tail, might be time for a nut check! LOL.

All stats available on ESPN.com.

So not a hockey town.