Calgary Hitmen Celebrate 'Teddy Bear Toss' Promotion

The Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League once again held a "Teddy Bear Toss" night, and it was another cool scene.

Fans were encouraged to bring teddy bears to the game and throw them onto the ice once the Hitmen scored their first goal. The bears were then collected and will be given to children for the holidays.

More than 17,000 fans packed the Scotiabank Saddledome Sunday to take part in the annual tradition. When Pasha Padakin lit the lamp early in the second period, teddy bears poured onto the ice, via @WHLHitmen:

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Thank you to all the 17,199 fans who packed the 'Dome for the 19th Annual Petro-Canada Teddy Bear Toss game!! pic.twitter.com/eZCVDNsM4D

— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) December 2, 2013"

Padakin's goal was a special moment, via @WHLHitmen:

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Watch the @mrPadakin goal that set off the avalanche of teddy bears at the 'Dome! http://t.co/9i51xWMC02 pic.twitter.com/Rzb9MXxFV2

— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) December 2, 2013"

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Someone is happy he's heading to the #WHLHitmen record book -- the only player to score 2 Teddy Bear Toss Goals pic.twitter.com/lxIOkWiwu2

— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) December 2, 2013"

Calgary players had some fun in the bags of teddy bears, via @WHLHitmen:

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The teddy bears create a soft pillow for everyone! pic.twitter.com/3JJOONlFai

— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) December 2, 2013"

A truck was brought in to take the bags of teddy bears off the ice, via @CCSD_edu:

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Fantastic! @BGrandinCCSD band= great music for the @WHLHitmen Teddy bear toss! Amazing! @petrocanada #CCSD pic.twitter.com/Y0Y0lqsSAi

— CCSD (@CCSD_edu) December 2, 2013"

The Hitmen announced that more than 25,000 teddy bears had been thrown onto the ice.

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DRUMROLL PLEASE ~ The official count from the @petrocanada Teddy Bear Toss Game is...25,921! Thank you #YYC fans! pic.twitter.com/l7jFQ8e7An

— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) December 2, 2013"

Hat tip to USA Today's For The Win for the find.