Weekend Preview: Gens host Greyhounds, Colts for 24th Annual Teddy Bear Toss
Oshawa, Ont., – Following a four-game road trip to southwestern Ontario, the Gens return home for two home games to kick start December at the Tribute Communities Centre.
The Gens will look at their recent trip as a success, even more so after a dismal November where the team only took home one win in nine tries. Their only win came in an 8-2 drubbing of their rivals, the Peterborough Petes, snapping the Gens’ nine-game losing streak at the time. Realistically, December didn’t start on the right foot either, as the road trip joy was struck down by the Windsor Spitfires by a score of 7-2.
Despite the rough start, Oshawa took their heads up high into both Sarnia and Hamilton, picking up a 6-5 shootout win against the Sting and hanging on for a 4-3 win over the Bulldogs. The back-t0-back wins were the first consecutive wins since the beginning of October for the Generals.
The road trip came to a close with a rare Tuesday night game for Oshawa, visiting the friendly confines of the Budweiser Gardens last night. Both teams entered the game on a high, with the Gens on a short two-game win streak and the Knights riding an eight-game win streak.
Coming into the game as total underdogs, it was easy to think London would have their way with the Generals, and in the beginning, they certainly did. Jumping out to a 2-0 lead, it looked like London was going to coast to victory – until Brett Harrison turned it up a notch.
A first career hattrick from the Bruins prospect, supported by a goal from Ryan Gagnier and another in a return for Jordyn Ertel, earned the Generals their third straight victory! The 5-3 win also snapped London’s eight-game winning streak.
Oshawa now returns home for a classic Friday-Sunday weekend at the Tribute Communities Centre.
First, the Soo Greyhounds make their only visit to Oshawa and their first visit since February 14th, 2020. Both teams enter the game amongst similar spots in the OHL standings, including a recent turn of the tide for their teams. The Greyhounds are currently 8th in the OHL’s western conference, with a record of 8-10-4-4. They’re putting a current two-game winning streak on the line tonight against the high-flying North Bay Battalion on their trip to Southern Ontario. Led by 2004-born Bryce McConnell-Barker, the Greyhounds have recently announced their commitment to place a bid for the 2024 Memorial Cup tournament.
Friday’s game is brought to you by Halenda’s Meats and will feature a number of prize giveaways for fans, as well as an opportunity to give back and support the Boys and Girls Club of Durham Region.
On Sunday, the most anticipated game of the season is finally here! When the Generals host the Barrie Colts for the first time this season, we will be hosting our 24th Annual Teddy Bear Toss, presented by Canadian Tire. Over the years, this rich tradition has grown into a celebration that fans across the Durham Region wait for all season. In its 23-year history, more than 80,000 bears have been donated to kids in need around Durham Region so that they can have a Christmas to remember. When the Generals score their first goal of the game on Sunday, fans are asked to throw their bears onto the ice, where they’ll be collected and donated to Durham Outreach Alliance, Simcoe Hall Settlement House, Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Club of Durham, and Durham Children’s Aid.
Following two seasons of a special Drive-Thru Teddy Bear Toss, this will be the first traditional Teddy Bear Toss since Thursday, December 5th when Ty Tullio made it rain bears against the Kingston Frontenacs.
Tickets are still available for both games, with your chance to see the Generals continue their recent winning ways AND to be a part of what is sure to be a magical and memorable 24th Annual Teddy Bear Toss.
