EDMONTON — It was a record-setting night at Rexall Place Saturday as the Edmonton Oil Kings held their annual Teddy Bear Toss.
Over 13,000 hockey fans made it out to the game, making it the most attended Teddy Bear Toss in franchise history. And when Andrew Koep scored the first goal for the Oil Kings, just 51 seconds into the game, those fans threw a record-breaking 11,492 bears on the ice.
“It was nice to have lots of fans come out and support Santas Anonymous and the team,” said Koep.
All of those bears were scooped up into pickup trucks and donated to Santas Anonymous, which collects gifts to ensure every child has a gift to open on Christmas morning.
The Oil Kings one-of-a-kind Teddy Bear Toss jerseys were auctioned off after the game for $22,635. The proceeds also go to Santas Anonymous.
Last year, the toss brought in more bears than fans in attendance, collection 10,128 bears with 10,058 fans in attendance.
READ MORE: Teddy Bear Toss collects more bears than fans in attendance
While they were first to score, the Oil Kings fell 7-4 to the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors. Jack Rodewald scored twice and added three assists for the Warriors. Tanner Eberle also scored twice for Moose Jaw (13-13-3), with Brayden Point, Brett Howden and Torrin White rounding out the attack.
Dysin Mayo had a pair of goals for the Oil Kings (14-12-5). Andrew Koep and Ben Carroll also found the back of the net.
Zach Sawchenko turned away 25 shots for the victory. Tristan Jarry made 19 saves in 33:55. Patrick Dea replaced him and allowed one goal on six shots in 26:05.
The Warriors converted three times on eight power-play chances while Edmonton went 0 for 2.
With files from The Canadian Press.
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