The Alberni Valley Bulldogs may not have scored enough goals against the visiting Merritt Centennials to win the game last weekend, but one goal was all it took to send the teddy bears flying onto the ice.
The Bulldogs hosted their annual Teddy Bear Toss (and warm clothing toss) on Saturday, Dec. 9 as the Cents came to town in front of a sold-out crowd. The Bulldogs lost 4-1.
The Cents opened scoring in the first, and managed to double their lead by the end of the period. But in the second period, Bulldogs’ forward Grayson Badger played the hero, scoring 8:34 into the period so Bulldogs fans could toss their stuffed toys and warm clothing items onto the ice. The players took a quick break as U11 minor hockey players collected all the items, which will be distributed throughout the community in the coming weeks.
The Bulldogs kept it a one-goal game until 15:51 of the third period, when the Cents added another marker and an empty-net goal sealed the deal for Merritt. Bulldogs’ goaltender Callum Tung made 24 saves in the loss.
The Bulldogs now head out on an extended road trip and won’t be back at home until Saturday, Dec. 30, when the Cowichan Valley Capitals pay a visit. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.