Three-Thousand Teddy Bears Hit the Ice Tonight

The Jacksonville Icemen couldn't rally against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Saturday night as the Swamp Rabbits held on to win 4-2. However, the evening was highlighted by the 6,076 fans in attendance who threw over 3,000 teddy bears onto the ice after the first Icemen goal for Teddy Bear Toss night, presented by Community First Credit Union.

ECHL 2017 Greenville vs Jacksonville: Pre-game and first period action of the Jacksonville Icemen hosting the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in professional hockey at the Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Gary Lloyd McCullough/ For the Icemen)

ECHL 2017 Greenville vs Jacksonville: Pre-game and first period action of the Jacksonville Icemen hosting the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in professional hockey at the Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Gary Lloyd McCullough/ For the Icemen)

ECHL 2017 Greenville vs Jacksonville: Pre-game and first period action of the Jacksonville Icemen hosting the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in professional hockey at the Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Gary Lloyd McCullough/ For the Icemen)

Late into the first period, Cameron Critchlow forced a turnover behind the Greenville, which led to captain Garet Hunt deflecting Dajon Mingo's slapshot for the first Icemen goal. Immediately, teddy bears all across the arena flew to the ice. All stuffed animals will be donated to the Children's Christmas Party of Jacksonville. The first period ended with the Icemen leading, 1-0.

ECHL 2017 Greenville vs Jacksonville: Pre-game and first period action of the Jacksonville Icemen hosting the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in professional hockey at the Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Gary Lloyd McCullough/ For the Icemen)

The Swamp Rabbits would get a second power play in the next period, and the third-best power play in the league would not miss tying the game this time. Jack Nevins collected the rebound in the slot and put the puck past Lotz to make the game 1-1 at 7:29 of the second frame. At 10:14 in the second period, Evan Jasper was rewarded for driving to the net with a fluky deflection goal to give Greenville their first lead of the game. Evan Jasper wouldn't be done scoring after his first goal. Minutes later, Jasper received a phenomenal saucer pass from Branden Troock and roofed the puck home past Lotz for the 3-1 lead. With 4:03 remaining in the second, Joe Basaraba fired a wrist shot from the slot directly off the faceoff to give Greenville a three-goal lead.

Nearly halfway through the third period, Elgin Pearce fired a laser from above the circle to pull the Icemen within two. Jacksonville would continue to dominate play in the third, but were unable to find any more goals.

The Icemen hit the road to take on the Florida Everblades on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. On Thursday, Dec. 21, the Icemen return home for one game to take on the Atlanta Gladiators at 7:30 p.m. Click here to get your tickets!