The Nanaimo Clippers scored a Teddy Bear Toss goal, but couldn’t manage any more in a 4-1 loss to the Powell River Kings.
Jake Harris scored on a deke five minutes into the second period of Friday’s B.C. Hockey League game at Frank Crane Arena.
Jake Harris scored the Teddy Bear Toss goal for the Nanaimo Clippers five minutes into the second period tonight… https://t.co/HHMX7E16KR @ClippersHockey #Nanaimo pic.twitter.com/Zyi9NDTa3P
— Greg Sakaki (@BulletinSports) December 9, 2017
Nanaimo carried most of the play over the final two periods and had a disallowed goal late in the second, but didn’t have enough to beat the division-leading Kings.
Ben Berard scored twice for the Kings and Jonny Evans and Andy Stevens also tallied. Matteo Paler-Chow made 32 saves for the Kings and Taz Burman stopped 19 shots for the Clips.
Harris’s goal triggered the toss of hundreds of stuffed animals onto the ice; the plush toys were collected and donated to the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive.
Joanne Rowland, director of volunteers with the toy drive, said the Teddy Bear Toss means a lot to her group’s cause every year.
“It’s a tradition which we really appreciate and it forms the basis of all the stuffies that we are able to give out to the children…” she said. “It’s a wonderful community spirit and that’s what this team is all about. The community spirit is amazing. So it means a lot to us, always.”
The toy drive collects toys, books and games to help out families in need every year. Every registered child gets a stuffed animal for their stocking, so there’s a need for about 800-900 stuffies.
There is also always a particular need for toys for kids in the 9-13 age group. For more about the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive, click here and here.
GAME ON … The Clippers visit the Victoria Grizzlies on Saturday, Dec. 9. Next home action at Frank Crane Arena isn’t until Jan. 5.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
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