This weekend, it was plush pandemonium at Hertz Arena. Thousands of stuffed animals and toys flew over the boards for the Florida Everblades Teddy Bear Toss.
"It's always an awesome game," said Florida Everblades defenseman Jordan Sambrook. "It's definitely one that I have circled on my calendar and definitely one that my teammates do, too."
Blades forward Logan Lambdin found the back of the net on Saturday night, tying the game with the Jacksonville Icemen at 1-1. Before the referees had a chance to announce that the goal didn't count because of goalie interference, the fluff went flying!
"It was awesome once we scored that goal, even though it got called off!" said Florida forward Craig Needham. "It was still a special experience seeing all the bears pour over. We knew was very special, cause being on the ice together, cleaning up and doing it together, we were happy to do it. It was a lot of fun."
Don't worry though, even though the goal didn't count that time, Lambdin made up for it and scored with 13 .6 seconds left in the first period and the Everblades defeated the Icemen 4-1.
All of the toys and teddy bears were scooped up off the ice and taken to find new homes with patients at Lee Health Coconut Point and at Golisano's Children's Hospital.
"It's great to put a smile on their face," said Sambrook. "They're going through a tough time and especially during the holidays. Whatever we can do to kind of help out."
Swampee and the gang walked the halls going door to door handing out tons of early Christmas presents and watching the kids' faces light up when they walked in.
"We walked around in different rooms, met the kids, hung out with them for a little bit," said Needham. "They got to pick their favorite teddy bear, and then we just tried to put a smile on their face. Especially these kids who could use it this time of the year."
It's something the Everblades do year after year, but it never stops bringing joy to everyone involved.
"Christmas time is one of the best times of the year for for everybody," said Sambrook. "So whatever we can do to make a day a little bit better. It brings a smile to us too."
"I felt like I was doing something bigger than myself," said Needham. "[It] made me realize how lucky I am and how good we have it. So any way that we can help out it. It was really special. Touched my heart."