Idiotic fan actions costs Red Wings AHL affiliate a win

We've seen more than a few examples over the years in the National Hockey League of the actions of a few fans costing the team they paid money to come cheer in person; perhaps the most notable incident took place in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs after fans of the Philadelphia Flyers threw thousands of bracelets that were meant to honor late team owner Ed Snider onto the ice, resulting in a Flyers delay of game penalty.

Exacerbated public address announcer Lou Nolan chastised the crowd while announcing the penalty:

"Okay, those of you that have been throwing, you’ve done it now. Two-minute bench minor on the Flyers for delay of the game … Way to go!”

And now, we've got another such example, but with a more costly outcome for the home team. The Grand Rapids Griffins, who are the American Hockey League affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, saw a valiant comeback effort ultimately wasted after a few fans began throwing dozens of “Throw-for-Dough” soft rubber pucks onto the ice, resulting in a penalty for the Griffins. This occurred after two late goals from Simon Edvinsson and Tim Gettinger, which tied the score at 2-2 after Grand Rapids had been trailing late in the 3rd period. 

Public address announcer Eric Zane, like Nolan in Philadelphia, was frustrated after his pair of warnings to the crowd to halt their actions went unheeded. 

Cleveland Monsters forward Brendan Gaunce would pot the game winning goal in overtime while on that power play, understandably frustrating the Griffins and their coaching staff. 

“Not overly happy with what happened and took place out there,” Griffins head coach Dan Watson said after the game. “Tough way to lose a game, you build momentum and get a tie game...just to have it stop like that is pretty tough. Choices that were made...kind of cost us.”

The Griffins themselves would issue a statement on Twitter shortly afterward: 

Several of the offending fans that were caught throwing the rubber pucks were escorted out of Van Andel Arena. 

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