TDMMC March Madness - HISTORY - Rat Trick vs. Bill the Goat

[Dave Gray]

Wiki: The rat trick was a celebration popularized by fans of the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL) during their 1995–96 season and trip to the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals. The term, a play on hat trick, was coined by Panthers goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck after teammate Scott Mellanby killed a rat in the locker room prior to the team's home opener with his stick, then scored two goals with the same stick. Fans immediately picked up on the idea and began throwing plastic rats on the ice to celebrate goals. By the time the Panthers reached the 1996 playoffs, thousands of rats hit the ice after every Panthers goal, resulting in an off-season rule change by the NHL that allowed for referees to penalize the home team if fans disrupt the game by throwing objects onto the ice.

Wiki: Bill the Goat is the mascot of the United States Naval Academy. The mascot is a live goat and is also represented by a costumed midshipman. There is also a bronze statue of the goat just inside Gate 1, the main gate to the Academy grounds. This statue also plays a role in "Army Week" traditions.  The first Bill the Goat appeared in 1893. Currently, Bill XXXIII reigns as the 36th mascot and is the 33rd goat to be named Bill. His backup is Bill XXXIV.

For centuries, ships sailed with livestock in order to provide sailors with fresh food. Ships in the British and early American navies often carried goats, to eat the garbage and other undesirable food and to return milk and butter. The first usage of "billy goat" for a male goat occurs in the 19th century replacing the older term "he-goat."

There is a legend that a Navy ship once sailed with a pet goat, and that the goat died during the cruise. The officers preserved the skin to have it mounted when they returned to port. Two young ensigns were entrusted with the skin. On their way to the taxidermist, they stopped by the United States Naval Academy to watch a football game. At halftime, for reasons the legend does not specify, one ensign decided to dress up in the goat skin. The crowd appreciated the effort, and Navy won the game.

[Sunstroke]

This is probably the toughest match-up for me so far...I think I'll hold off on voting here for now and give it some extra consideration.

[Dave Gray]

I am not a big hockey fan, but I think that the Rat Trick is one of the coolest traditions in all of sports.  It goes back to a very specific time in the team's young history where hockey became relevant in S. Florida.  And even now, you can't do it during the game, but rats shower down after every win.  Weird and cool.

The goat is a goat.  But at some point, just having a mascot isn't good enough.

[Brian Fein]

The goat isn't even the best goat in sports.  The best goat in sports is the one that cursed the Cubs from ever winning another championship.

The rat trick in a landslide.  (see below)