Last week, a professional ice hockey team in Pennsylvania broke a franchise record for the most teddy

bears thrown into the ice by supporters in an effort to support nearby children, rather than goals scored.

The Hershey Bears scored a goal to start the yearly Teddy Bear Toss tradition, which gathers toys for charitable causes, and that’s when the plush chaos began in the second period.

Four minutes into the second period at the Giant Center last week, a riot of plush toys descended, totaling seventy-five thousand stuffed animals.

‘You see it on film, but it was much more incredible in person. It was just amazing to witness, as Bears coach Todd Nelson put it.

‘At first, you’re celebrating the goal, and then you start getting pelted with bears,’ described Chase Priskie,

a new player for Hershey who was introduced to the event. ‘The atmosphere is simply amazing when tens of thousands of bears begin to descend upon you.’

The collection of toys for the club’s Hershey Bears Cares initiative, which collected 67,309 toys last year and donated them to over 35 local organizations, was eclipsed by this event.

Since its launch in 2001, the Toss has gathered almost half a million plush animals for underprivileged kids.

In addition, the Sweigart Family Foundation gave $55,000 to the Children’s Miracle Network in Hershey this year to honor the local supporters’ achievements.

The Hershey-based Bears improved their AHL-best record to 29-7-0 this season with a 3-2 overtime victory over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, which came after a 40-minute wait to cart out all the toys.

At 1:08, see the bear drop to start the fun.