Teddy bear tussle: Colts, 67s have donnybrook amid raining stuffed animals

At the Ottawa 67s’ annual Teddy Bear Toss game, junior hockey players rained blows upon each other as thousands of fans threw stuffed animals onto the ice, making for a bizarre and chaotic spectacle on Sunday. 

It’s become a yearly tradition, and this year’s version featured the Barrie Colts. The 67s organization designates one game for fans to bring teddy bears or other plush toys to the game and, when Ottawa scores its first goal, spectators are encouraged to ‘toss’ their bears onto the ice.

All donations are then given to local children’s charities in the nation’s capital.

However, this past weekend’s Teddy Bear Toss was particularly memorable. In front of 4,249 fans, 67s forward Luca Pinelli scored to draw level with the Colts near the midpoint of the second period.

But amidst the celebration and barrage of stuffed animals, a fight broke out between Pinelli and Colts defenceman Grayson Tiller.

The individual quarrel quickly evolved into a full-on brawl, as players on both teams found a dancing partner. 

Ottawa centre Cooper Foster wrestled Barrie’s Dalyn Wakely to the ground, while 67s right-winger Brady Stonehouse exchanged pleasantries with Gabriel Eliasson from the Colts.

While all of this was happening, a person dressed as the Grinch walked around the ice, trying to avoid getting in the way of any wild punches.

When the dust settled, only five players were penalized, with Pinelli, Foster, Wakely, and Eliasson each receiving 10-minute misconducts.

The teams were tied heading into the second intermission before the Colts took the lead early in the third period, thanks to Tiller, whose goal propelled Barrie to a 2-1 victory.

With the win, the Colts extended their lead in the eastern conference, as they’ve now won 20 of their first 28 games and are two points clear of the Oshawa Generals, with two games still in-hand.

Meanwhile, the 67s are currently ninth in the east, outside the projected playoff positions.

Regardless, 67s head coach Dave Cameron was encouraged with how his squad hung tough with the conference-leading Colts over the weekend.