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Local fish market responds to Predators-Penguins ticket drama

PITTSBURGH — If you go to Wholey's in the Strip District this weekend, you might have to show your ID at the checkout line.

The shop says it won't sell catfish to anybody who's from Nashville, or anywhere in Tennessee, during the Stanley Cup Finals. It's in response to the Predators blocking Pennsylvania residents from buying tickets to the Stanley Cup final games in Tennessee.

Catfish swim in the river that runs through the heart of Nashville, and it's a popular dish in the city. But catfish also play a role in a unique, and smelly, hockey ritual.

It's a strange tradition for some Predators fans, throwing catfish on the ice during the playoffs.

“Everybody loves it. They try to help me hide it until it's time to throw it,” said Wes Collins, who is a Predators fan.

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But those diehards may have a tough time getting their hands on catfish in Pittsburgh for Monday night's game.

“We're not going to sell it to them,” Dan Wholey, co-owner of Wholey’s in the Strip said, because identification will be required for catfish purchases until the Stanley Cup Final is over.

“If their driver's license says Nashville or Tennessee, we just won't sell it to 'em,” Wholey said. “Catfish is for eating, not for throwing.”

Predators fans are serious about this, taking drastic measures to sneak the slimy fish into Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

“We start by strapping it to our backs. These things are big, they're 15 pounds," Collins said. "You've got to strap it from up underneath so the juices don't run down your legs."

Wholey's doesn't want to make it any easier for fans like that to try the stunt in PPG Paints Arena.

“Before, after and during the Stanley Cup, we're going to continue to eat catfish, and root for the Penguins,” Wholey said.

Stay with Channel 11 and WPXI.com for complete coverage of the Stanley Cup Finals and watch all of the games on NBC.

 

Cox Media Group

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