Buffalo Fish

The **Buffalo Fish** are a team of the North Metro Hockey League, where they have played since joining the league as an expansion team for the 1986-87 season. Based in Buffalo, Minnesota, the Fish play their home games at the 750-seat Buffalo Civic Center.

## History

When the North Metro League granted Buffalo a team, a name-the-team contest was held in the Wright County Journal-Press. The submissions were narrowed down to three finalists; the Bulls, Cowboys and Fish. To many people's surprise (and amusement), Fish won the contest, with the reason given of honoring the sucker native to Minnesota, the Bigmouth Buffalo fish. However, rather than depicting a buffalo fish, the Fish opted for a generic fish shape for their visual identity.

### Culture

#### The Fish Toss

Buffalo has a tradition of throwing Bigmouth Buffalo (the teams namesake) on the ice before big games. Fans have been throwing the giant suckers on the ice since the teams very first game when a fan snuck one into the Civic Center and threw it towards the opposing goalie's net during player introductions.

#### Fishin' in the Dark

Buffalo fans have been singing "Fishin' in the Dark" by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band during the second intermission of every home game since their inaugural 1987 season.

Lyrics:

> *"Lazy yellow moon comin' up tonight, Shinin' through the trees, Crickets are singin' and lightning bugs, Are floatin' on the breeze, baby get ready*
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> *Across the field where the creek turns back, By the old stump row, I'm gonna take you to a special place, That nobody knows baby get ready*
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> *You and me go fishin' in the dark, Lyin' on our backs and countin' the stars, Where the cool grass grows, Down by the river in the full moonlight, We'll be fallin' in love in the middle of the night, Just movin' slow, Stayin' the whole night through, It feels so good to be with you*
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> *Spring is almost over and the summer's come, And the days are gettin' long, Waited all winter for the time to be right, Just to take you along, baby get ready*
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> *And it don't matter if we sit forever, And the fish don't bite, Jump in the river and cool ourselves, From the heat of the night, baby get ready*
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> *You and me go fishin' in the dark, Lyin' on our backs and countin' the stars, Where the cool grass grows, Down by the river in the full moonlight, We'll be fallin in love in the middle of the night, Just movin' slow, Stayin' the whole night through, It feels so good to be with you*
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> *You and me go fishin', (You and me go fishin in the dark), In the dark lyin' on our backs and countin' the stars, Where the cool grass grows, down by the river, (Down by the light), In the full moonlight we'll be fallin' in love in the middle of the night, (We'll be fallin in love), Just movin' slow*
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>
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> *You and me go fishin', (You and me go fishin in the dark), In the dark lyin' on our backs and countin' the stars, Where the cool grass grows, Down by the river in the full moonlight, (Down by the light), We'll be fallin' in love in the middle of the night..."*
>
>

### The Fish

Beginning in 1987, the Fish have a body-costumed, genderless mascot known only as The Fish, a blue fish with human arms and legs to allow it to skate and hold a hockey stick. With a big smile on its face, The Fish is a big hit with fans, and can be seen at all Fish games at the Buffalo Civic Center.

### Season-By-Season Results

 1988
 1989