It wasn’t just any other hockey game this afternoon. Today, the Bears rematched with the Providence Bruins for this years Teddy Bear Toss game. Fans were already excited packing into the building, ready to try and set another record for this fantastic event.

Four lineup changes came for the Bears after yesterday’s game. Dalton Smith came in for Brennan Saulnier on the fourth line as the only forward change. Two changes came on defense, with Jon McDonald coming in for Brad Hunt and Nicky Lievermann coming in for Vinny Iorio, who was added to the IL with an upper body injury. Clay Stevenson started in goal in place of Hunter Shepard, who played last nights game.

Period One

The game did not start the way the Bears wanted. A turnover the neutral zone saw the Bruins get Max Jones in on a breakaway and he made no mistake to put Providence up 1-0 just a 1:20 into the period.

But the Bears did not let that break them. While a power play opportunity did not get it done, the Bears kept pushing. In fact, a Chase Priskie shot that rang the underside of the crossbar tricked enough fans that a few Bears made it on the ice early. They didn’t have to wait that much longer after that missed chance.

Mike Sgarbossa, with 5:15 left in the first, got a chance from the right and put it past Bruins goalie Brandon Bussi and the avalanche of teddy bears, stuffed animals and other toys began. It was a sight to behold- see for yourself.

Afterwards, it was all the sweet, cuddly mayhem that you would expect…

I will be uploading all the photos and videos I took tonight later. But what an awesome experience it was to be on the ice for this wonderful event.

The Last 5:15 of the First and the Second

The remaining time in the first went off without much issue other than a late Bears PK that went against Ethan Bear. The Bears killed that off without much issue and then the scoring started.

First, it was Matt Strome, who perfectly tipped home a Hardy Haman Aktell shot from the point to put the Bears up 2-1. Then, 30 seconds later, Grant Cruikshank put home his second of the season on a mini 3-on-1 that put Hershey up 3-1.

The Bears then got three straight power play opportunities. While the power play continues to look better, especially with Hendrix Lapierre added back to the first unit, results were not there. The Bears went 0/3, but immediately after the last one ended, Spencer Smallman fought for a puck that sat in the crease and put it home for Hershey to make it 4-1 Bears.

Grant Cruikshank got called late for a holding the stick penalty, which the Bears would have to finish killing in the third.

The Bears dominated Providence this period, outshooting them 15-7 and generating the bulk of key chance. Clay Stevenson also showed up when he needed to in this period and helped keep the few Bruins opportunities out of the net.

Third Period

The Bears would kill off the remaining time on the Cruikshank penalty and then control the remainder of the game. They would add a fifth, with Spencer Smallman putting home a shot from in front on the power play to make it 5-1. They would also successfully kill off a late Dalton Smith penalty. That would complete the Bears weekend sweep of the Bruins as they move to 21-10-3 on the season. Hershey returns to action Tuesday night at the Giant Center as they face off against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

The real story of the third though is that the total amount of teddy bears and stuffed animals collected was announced. It was another new record, one that shattered all previous attempts. 102,343 total animals were collected, a new hockey record again. Thank you Bear Nation, your kindness and your love for this event knows no boundaries. This is the greatest hockey town in the world and I had a fantastic time covering this wonderful promotion for the first time ever. What a wonderful time.

Postgame Quotables

“The last 19-20 games he’s really cranked it up a notch. He’s played anywhere from third line right wing to first line center when Sgarbs was hurt and we didn’t have Lappy. He’s a very versatile player, plays on the penalty kill and power play and got rewarded with a couple of goals tonight. He’s playing really good hockey for us right now and it’s nice to have that versatility in your team, you can throw him anywhere in the lineup and he’ll contribute.” – Head Coach Todd Nelson on the play of Spencer Smallman.

“I’m feeling a lot of belief from the coaching staff, from my teammates and that’s really encouraging and motivating to me. I’m taking that and I’m just taking steps in the right direction and I think I can get even better as the year goes on.” – Spencer Smallman on his 16 points in his last 19 games.