The Utica College men's hockey team is set to host the 14^th annual New York Sash Teddy Bear Toss on Saturday night as the Pioneers take on Chatham University at the Adirondack Bank Center at 7 p.m.  The contest is sold out for the eighth straight year, but it will be televised  locally on WKTV (NBC) and live streaming video can also be accessed at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/utica/.

The New York Sash Teddy Bear Toss "How To" Guide: 
1. Don't be late to the game! When Utica College scores its first goal, fans throw their stuffed animals onto the ice. Last year, the toss occurred just 1:25 into the first period. Don't miss out! 

2. Bring a bunch of bears! Stuffed animals should be new and clean.

3. All of the toys are collected by New York Sash and donated to a collaborative toy drive with partners Operation Sunshine and Toys for Tots!

5. Feel like staying in that night or don't have a ticket? Don't worry! The game will also be televised on WKTV (NBC). 

Teddy Bear Toss Fun Facts:
- The 1st UC Teddy Bear Toss game was played on Dec. 6, 2005 against Hamilton. UC won 4-2 and 1,713 fans attended.
- Over 30,000 stuffed animals have been collected an distributed to local charities in the last 13 years through this event.
- 2015 was the first time the Pioneers used a penalty shot goal to ignite the Teddy Bear Toss, scored by senior captain Joel Wetmore (Horseheads, NY/Lindsay (OJHL)).
- UC is 10-2-1 all-time in Teddy Bear Toss games.
- The Pioneers have scored the first goal in all but two TBT games.
- The fastest goal scored was in 2017 when Josh Haskin (Troy, NY/P.A.L. Jr. Islanders (USPHL)) netted a goal 1:25 into the contest.
- Three different players have scored the Teddy Bear Toss goal twice. Colin Kingston (2005, 2006), Tim Coffman (2008, 2009) and Ridge Garbutt (2011, 2013). 

(Portions of this article courtesy of New York Sash)