Checkers Collect over 6,000 Stuffed Animals at Annual Teddy Bear Toss
AHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers Collect over 6,000 Stuffed Animals at Annual Teddy Bear Toss

Published on November 29, 2025 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC- The Checkers couldn't quite catch up after a slow start in Saturday's rematch with Toronto, ultimately falling 5-3.

The Marlies came out blazing in the opening frame - getting on the board less than 90 seconds into play, doubling that lead with a power-play strike late in the period and tacking on one more before the horn sounded.

Despite the deficit the Checkers wouldn't roll over, though, and Sandis Vilmanis lit the lamp early on in the second to spark the home side. That triggered the annual Teddy Bear Toss, which saw over 6,000 stuffed animals thrown onto the ice that will be donated to local organizations courtesy of the Checkers and Novant Health.

After a quick delay to collect the teddy bears, Gracyn Sawchyn rode the momentum and found the back of the net himself to narrow Toronto's lead to one. The Marlies countered late in the middle frame, but the Checkers pushed back hard in the third. Ben Steeves converted on a power-play chance midway through the period to pull his team back within one, and Charlotte tilted the ice in its favor from there - outshooting the Marlies 18-3 in the third. The Checkers couldn't quite solve Toronto's goaltending, however, and an empty-netter in the waning moments of regulation sealed their defeat.

QUOTES

Coach Geordie Kinnear on the status of Mackenzie Entwistle

I'm not sure. Obviously it's unfortunate to lose someone first shift. He'd been playing good hockey, too. We'll see how he is.

Kinnear on the first period

I don't know if the hit put us back a little bit, or lacking emotion or intensity going into the game. For me, we didn't respect the opponent at the start. It's a really good hockey team and well coached over there. As a group, including myself, we weren't' ready to start the game. Ultimately that cost us a win.

Kinnear on the rest of the game

Even in the second period, it was a little chaotic at times, but we were skating and you saw the identity a little bit more. We won the period. We were chasing it a little bit, but you like the dig in by everybody. I thought they all emptied the tank, which was important. Lesson learned. It's a long season and you want to make sure you learn lessons along the way. We learned a good one today.

Kinnear on defensemen joining the rush on Vilmanis' goal

It's just how we play. It's an important part of our group and how we play. We were just watching the game in the first period, but credit to the other team. I thought they had intent to their start, they got to their agenda and we were kind of watching the game being played. Again, they're going to have an answer. They didn't like their game yesterday, and we have to do a better job, including the coaches, of getting the guys ready and understanding to respect the opponent and what you're going to get.

NOTES

The Checkers collected 6,151 stuffed animals during the Novant Health Teddy Bear Toss. Those stuffed animals will now be donated to six local organizations - Baby Bundles, Alexander Youth Network, Alliance Center For Education, Bright Blessings, Hugaroo, Inc. and the Salvation Army Tonight's loss snapped a seven-game point streak for Charlotte Ben Steeves has points in two straight games Jack Studnicka has assists in two straight games Gracyn Sawchyn has goals in two straight games Sandis Vilmanis has goals in two straight games and four points in his last two games Brett Chorske has assists in two straight games and four points in his last two games Riese Gaber has points in his last two games Marek Alscher, Mitch Vande Sompel, Ryan McAllister, Liam McLinskey, Eamon Powell, Anton Lundmark, Mikulas Hovorka, Tyler Motte and Louis Domingue were the scratches for Charlotte

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American Hockey League Stories from November 29, 2025


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