How the Florida Panthers handle their rat problems

Along with relevance and a chance at the playoffs, rats have made a surprising return for the Florida Panthers this season, as the team began selling plastic rodents (in three spiffy colors!) at its official store earlier this month. The Panthers' "Rat Trick" tradition back in 1996 forced a new rule in the NHL that banned the tossing of objects on the ice during games, with some exceptions. That rule still stands today; so how can the Panthers sell ice-bound projectiles and expect fans not to toss them during a game? Why, with an ominous warning! Reader Evan Gropper sent this image in after the Panthers' win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night, writing that they were found "in every cup-holder at the Bank Atlantic Center." Geez, we've seen 1950s anti-communist propaganda that's warmer than a demon rodent WARNING you that you could be in the same section as those delay-of-game bastards who'd dare toss a rat on the ice before its time...