BOSTON – A Detroit Red Wings fan in Boston wanted to show his team some love – the only way he knew how – and paid the price for it.
Jeff Farrugia, 32, a Harrison Township native, was arrested at TD Garden Arena Thursday night after he tossed an octopus onto the ice during the third period of the Bruins game and was ultimately charged with disturbing a public assembly, a misdemeanor.
"I meant no disrespect to Bruins fans, it was all just for fun," said Farrugia, a die-hard Red Wings fan. "My wife gets me tickets to The Garden every year to watch the Bruins and the Wings, my hope was to throw it out during a win, that wasn't the case."
The Bruins were up 5-1 over the Red Wings when Farrugia launched the octopus over the glass, seconds later, he was launched out of the building.
"Next thing I knew, a very angry Boston police officer was putting me in handcuffs and a sea of security had me surrounded," he said.
He and his wife, who now live in Maine, picked up an octopus at a local seafood market and let it thaw out in their hotel room.
"So, basically, I bagged it up twice, then saran wrapped it to my thigh to get it past security,” said Farrugia.
The Harrison Township native who attended L'Anse Creuse High School spent six hours in jail and will be back in Boston June 8 for his next court date.
"The police officers ended up being really cool about it," he said. "But it must have done the trick, the Wings scored their second goal after the octopus hit the ice."