Thunder fans throw 300 stuffed toys to the ice
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Tillsonburg Thunder defeated the Strathroy Jets 4-3 in overtime at the Kinsmen Memorial Arena on the weekend, but the first-place WOSHL men’s hockey team was not the only winner Saturday night.
It was the annual Thunder Teddy Bear Toss night, and when Tillsonburg’s Spencer Hutchinson scored 5:37 into the game, fans sent stuffed toys flying over the glass where they were picked up by Tillsonburg U8 hockey players.
About 300 ‘teddy bears’ were collected, and with 10 more additional donations, they were all given to The Salvation Army – Tillsonburg to be distributed through its Christmas toy program.
“It’s close to a record,” laughed Thunder team president Mike Holly. “It’s hard to keep track.”
Last year they collected about 200 stuffed toys, he noted.
“We’re over the moon happy,” said Lieutenant Drew Young, Salvation Army corps officer. “It’s great.”
“Everything worked out well,” said Holly, thanking the fans and their volunteers. “And it was fun, it’s always fun.”
Attendance was estimated to be 450-500.
Tillsonburg led the WOSHL game 2-1 after the first period. After exchanging second-period goals, Strathroy’s Cameron Amos notched the 3-3 equalizer, his second goal of the game, just 28 seconds into the third period.
Tillsonburg Thunder’s Jamie MacQueen scored the game winner, assisted by Mike Rebry and goalie Matt Sagrott, with 1:23 left in overtime.
The Thunder travel to Orangeville Dec. 9, then Delhi on Dec. 16 before their next home game Dec. 23 against Woodstock.
The Delhi Flames (3-6-0) look to end a three-game losing streak in Woodstock on Dec. 9. Two of the losses were one-goal decisions against Tillsonburg and Dunnville.
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