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Terry Eddy, Associate Professor, Sport Management, University of Windsor

Plastic rats and playoff beards: Superstitious behaviours in hockey fans and players increase during the playoffs

Leafs Panthers Hockey The Florida Panthers Florida Panthers the Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs fans and players celebrate a goal during the second round playoff series against the Florida Panthers. (Michael Laughlin/AP Photo)

As the Toronto Maple Leafs recently limped to a third straight defeat to the Florida Panthers, Leafs fans experienced the dreaded rat trick. In this ritual, Panthers fans throw plastic rats onto the ice to summon the energy of past, unexpected successes.

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