There’s no denying that NHL rivalries are part of what makes the sport so electric. But while players trade hits and fans hurl chants, another battle rages just out of focus—between the mascots. Yes, those oversized, googly-eyed chaos creatures aren’t just dancing and tossing t-shirts—they’re throwing shade, staging hijinks, and keeping their own scores. Whether it’s a long-running feud built on pranks or a single game where tensions boiled over, NHL mascots have created rivalries that are hilarious, often ridiculous, and surprisingly iconic. In many cases, fans remember the mascot madness even more than the final score. Here are the Top 10 NHL Mascot Rivalries That Are Better Than the Teams’—because sometimes the real action is in the fur and foam.
#10: Carlton the Bear vs. Sabretooth
In the battle of big, fuzzy predators, Toronto’s Carlton the Bear and Buffalo’s Sabretooth are like rivals in a cartoon slapstick saga. Their feud is more “Canadian polite” than hostile, but that doesn’t stop them from constantly trying to one-up each other in the most absurd ways. Whether it’s Carlton mimicking Sabretooth’s dance moves or Sabretooth stealing Carlton’s signature Leafs flag and waving it upside down, these two bring a kind of competitive trolling that’s more charming than cutthroat. The antics typically erupt during intermissions, with fans from both sides gleefully egging them on. It’s become a running gag that no Leafs-Sabres matchup is complete without at least one mascot showdown, complete with over-the-top reactions and exaggerated melodrama.
#9: Wild Wing vs. Bailey the Lion
When the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings square off, their California rivalry extends well beyond the players. Enter: Wild Wing and Bailey. These two mascots are known for their bold entrances and even bolder jabs at one another. At one game, Bailey tried to troll Wild Wing by pretending to tie his oversized mascot skates together. Not to be outdone, Wild Wing retaliated by dressing in a faux Kings jersey and doing a dramatic “mock faint” whenever the Kings scored. It’s the kind of back-and-forth that captures the audience more than the faceoffs. Their interactions are usually playful but layered with just enough sass to fuel the regional feud between L.A. and Anaheim in the most cartoonishly competitive way possible.
#8: Victor E. Green vs. Stinger
This inter-conference rivalry between the Dallas Stars’ Victor E. Green and the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Stinger may not have the historical fire of other matchups, but their mascot feud is explosive—literally. Victor E. Green is known for his obsession with confetti cannons, while Stinger has a habit of crashing dance cams and taunting opposing mascots by invading their turf. During a particularly chaotic game night, the two met center ice for a mock duel involving silly string, foam swords, and an impromptu dance-off that left fans in stitches. Even the refs were laughing. Their wild chemistry—more sibling rivalry than blood feud—has turned their meetings into highly anticipated events, regardless of the standings.
#7: Gnash vs. Tommy Hawk
This rivalry between Nashville’s Gnash and Chicago’s Tommy Hawk is pure wild energy. Both mascots lean into their roles as unpredictable troublemakers, but when they clash, it’s a full-on cartoon warzone. At one game, Gnash tried to prank Tommy Hawk by ziplining over him mid-skit, only to be chased backstage by a hilariously “angry” Tommy wielding a giant inflatable hammer. Their stunts often involve props, chase scenes, and massive crowd interaction. The Predators and Blackhawks may be central division foes, but fans often say the real highlight is waiting to see what the mascots pull off next. The blend of stunts, speed, and good old-fashioned slapstick makes their rivalry a mascot masterclass.
#6: Bernie the St. Bernard vs. Howler the Coyote
The battle of the canine mascots—Colorado Avalanche’s Bernie and Arizona Coyotes’ Howler—might seem like a tail-wagging affair, but their rivalry is anything but tame. It all began when Bernie photobombed Howler’s ceremonial puck drop by crawling between his legs, causing the Coyote to “trip” and fall dramatically to the ice. From there, the feud escalated. Howler started ambushing Bernie with sneaky hugs or surprise dance-offs during mascot meetups, and Bernie retaliated with elaborate props—like rolling out an inflatable doghouse and “locking” Howler inside with a bone-shaped padlock. Their feud plays like a buddy comedy gone rogue, where one-upmanship turns into an art form. Fans adore their playful energy, often wondering if the game is secondary to whatever prank these two have planned.
#5: Fin the Whale vs. Harvey the Hound
This cross-country clash pits Vancouver Canucks’ Fin the Whale against Calgary Flames’ Harvey the Hound—the NHL’s original mascot. The history runs deep, but one iconic moment made this rivalry immortal: during a heated game in the early 2000s, Flames coach Darryl Sutter yanked out Harvey’s tongue while he was heckling behind the bench. Though that moment didn’t involve Fin, he later “honored” it by mocking Harvey at a game—donning a detachable tongue and pretending to reenact the incident, complete with dramatic falls. Harvey, the seasoned prankster, fired back with a giant water gun and soaked Fin mid-dance. It was absurd, chaotic, and unforgettable. In a league that thrives on tradition, these two mascots have created a running storyline of playful shade and viral moments that never gets old.
#4: Louie vs. Iceburgh
St. Louis Blues’ Louie and Pittsburgh Penguins’ Iceburgh bring out the goofy side of mascot warfare. They’re both round, lovable, and deceptively calm—until they’re in the same arena. The rivalry really heated up when Louie slid onto the ice mid-period with a giant fish prop and tried to “feed” it to Iceburgh, mocking the penguin’s diet. Iceburgh didn’t take it lightly. The next time they met, he countered by presenting Louie with a “ticket back to hibernation,” complete with a sleeping bag and fake snoring sounds. Their duels are less physical and more theatrical, but they’re legendary for the sheer creativity and fan interaction. They’ve even pulled fans into their skits, creating viral moments that leave audiences more invested in the mascots than the match itself.
#3: Nordy vs. Tommy Hawk
Minnesota Wild’s Nordy and Chicago’s Tommy Hawk have cultivated a spicy rivalry fueled by division tensions and shared history. But instead of dropping gloves, these mascots drop confetti, pies, and sass. During one memorable mascot game, Nordy pretended to “coach” Tommy with a fake headset and clipboard, only for Tommy to turn around and chase him down with a whipped cream pie. These two mascots engage in roasts, elaborate physical gags, and sometimes even trash talk signs made just for the jumbotron. Tommy’s brash attitude meets Nordy’s chaotic energy in a matchup that feels like Saturday morning cartoons turned live-action. Whether it’s Nordy stealing Tommy’s props or Tommy fake-booting Nordy from the arena, it’s always ridiculous—and fans love every second.
#2: Youppi! vs. Gritty
In one corner, you have Youppi!—Montreal’s iconic mascot with a rich legacy dating back to his baseball days. In the other, Gritty—the orange chaos demon from Philadelphia who needs no introduction. When these two meet, mascoting becomes performance art. Gritty has tackled Youppi!, stolen his beret, and even challenged him to a pillow fight mid-game. Youppi! has clapped back with mime routines mocking Gritty’s “fashion choices” and once even spray-painted an orange beard on a foam Gritty dummy. These moments explode on social media, often going viral and making national headlines. The Flyers and Canadiens may not have a century-old blood feud, but Gritty and Youppi! act like it’s personal. Their rivalry feels like a superhero vs. supervillain saga told in goofy skits, and the world is better for it.
#1: Gritty vs. Literally Everyone
Let’s be honest: Gritty doesn’t have a rivalry—he has rivalries. All of them. Philadelphia’s anarchic orange beast has targeted nearly every other mascot in the league at some point. He’s pie-faced Carlton. He’s chased Victor E. Green with a t-shirt cannon. He’s “stolen” a dance partner from Stinger. Every Gritty appearance comes with the threat of utter chaos, and mascots are always on guard. What makes Gritty’s rivalries so legendary is that they’re unprovoked, unhinged, and unforgettable. Whether he’s punking mascots, crashing press conferences, or ziplining into awkward stunts, he commands attention. The Flyers may not always win on the ice, but in the mascot department, Gritty is the league’s final boss—and he’s coming for everyone.
The NHL is a league of fierce competition, passionate fans, and historic rivalries—but as this list proves, some of the most entertaining matchups aren’t between the players. They’re between mascots with oversized heads, wild imaginations, and absolutely no chill. Whether they’re roasting each other with signs or staging elaborate slapstick battles, these mascot rivalries have created moments of pure joy, absurdity, and unforgettable spectacle. So next time your team faces off against a rival, look to the sidelines—you might find the real showdown happening just outside the spotlight, in fur, foam, and glorious ridiculousness.
