It didn’t take too long, as Ryan Hirai’s shot sailed into the net just 6 minutes into the game to launch the Teddy Bear onslaught. The fans brought it this year, laughing 198 Stuffed Animals onto the ice, the second most in the four years. The Lions hosted their 4th annual Teddy Bear toss (3rd game, thanks covid) and came out on top 4-1 over WCHC rival Long Beach.
Long Beach would come right back to even the score on a rushing chance, and the first period ended 1-1. The second would provide a lot of excitement, as the Lions peppered the net but the Long Beach goalie stood tall and frustrated the Lions, with it remaining 1-1 after 2.
But early in the third the Lions would find the eventual game winner, as Cam Andrade fired a point shot that hit a body in the slot and dropped into the net. The Lions would add two more, Chris Manzer fired a shot home from the circle with 5 minutes to go, and Ryan Brown iced the game with an empty net goal.
Jason Footlick got the win, facing 28 shots.
The Lions remain perfect in the Teddy Bear Toss games, 3-0 (all against Long Beach). This marks the final game of the first semester, as the Lions head to the holiday break with an 11-4-1 record. The team is back in January with a trip to Detroit, then a slew of local games before the WCHC Playoffs arrive in early February.