The Hershey Bears defeated the Lehigh Valley Phantoms by an overtime score of 3-2 and with that, they also broke the teddy bear collection record. This year’s Hershey Bears teddy bear toss game was an endearing display of community pride and sportsmanship.
A win for the Bears, and a win for the children of Central Pennsylvania on #TeddyBearTossHershey Night! 🧸 pic.twitter.com/Mtr9IFM2Jd
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) January 7, 2024
The Bears had previously lost the teddy bear toss game and were determined this year to give the fans their moment of joy, which they certainly did.
"LET THE SWEET CUDDLY MAYHEM COMMENCE!"
🧸🧸🧸Bogdan Trineyev gets the fur flying! 🧸🧸🧸@GiantFoodStores | #TeddyBearTossHershey | #HersheyBearsCares https://t.co/vLBv2DS6Gx pic.twitter.com/lhvTt9Q3ty
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) January 7, 2024
The game’s first goal was scored in the second period by Bogdan Trineyev at 4:15 against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, setting the magical tradition in motion. As per the heartwarming tradition, when the Bears score their first goal, thousands of stuffed animals are thrown into the ice rink.
This is exactly what happened and on the way, it broke the record as the audience unleashed tens of thousands of plush animals and threw them in the rink. The spectators for the first goal were ecstatic and gave a joyful spectacle. The recorded collection of toys was 74,599.
The generosity of Bear Nation is unmatched – a new franchise and hockey record has been set! 🧸🥺@GiantFoodStores | #TeddyBearTossHershey | #HersheyBearsCares pic.twitter.com/ZZu57M5WNk
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) January 7, 2024
Due to the torrential rain of plush toys on the rink, the game was put on hold and players and volunteers hustled to collect all the toys. The collected toys were stuffed into large bags, which would be given to nearby charities.
A win for Bear Nation, and for the children of Central Pennsylvania.
Couldn't have scripted it any better.
🧸 #TeddyBearTossHershey | #HersheyBearsCares 🧸
RECAP ⬇️
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) January 8, 2024
This year’s Hershey Bears teddy bear toss game saw the spectators throw a record-shattering number of plush animals onto the ice rink. They shattered their previous record from last year as well.
The audience that attended the game was 10,765, as the game was sold out. The participants displayed the community’s dedication to the custom and upholding the tradition.
