As the Terriers found the net for the first time last Saturday, hundreds of teddy bears started their journey to find their home.
December 2nd's matchup between the Portage Terriers and Waywayseecappo Wolverines was the annual Salvation Army Teddy Bear Toss game. When the first goal for the Terriers was scored, fans all lobbed their stuffed animals that they wanted to donate on the ice, the same way you would see hats after a hat trick.
After a first period with no goals on the Terriers side, Gabriel Laflamme found the back of the net at 2:53 to send the bears over the glass.
"I just play with two great linemates, received the puck on my knees and it got in," says Laflamme. "The bears weren't stopping. There were so, so many teddy bears on the ice. It was an amazing moment and, hopefully, the kids will like all the teddy bears everyone got them."
The Terriers ended up slaying the Wolverines 4-2.
Major Brenda Hammond with the Salvation Army says it was a wonderful experience seeing everyone throw their stuffed animals onto the ice after a scoreless first period from the dogs.
"If ever there was something good for the Terriers, good for the kids, good for hockey, and great for the community, it's this," notes Hammond. "It's a win-win all around, then, of course, kids on Christmas morning get a stuffed animal out of it."
In total, 301 bears were donated to the Salvation Army.
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