Abbotsford Canucks teddy bear toss ends in a loss

SHAYLENE TIELMANN/GATG

December 6, 2025 marked the Abbotsford Canucks annual Teddy Bear toss. This event brings in donations of teddy bears and other stuffed animals that get donated to local children’s charities. The big question around this event is who will be the goal scorer that triggers the toss. 

Abbotsford faced off against the Coachella Valley Firebirds. The last time these two teams met was for a one game event, where Coachella Valley took the win. Abbotsford looked to redeem themselves and bring the win to Rogers Forum. 

Jiří Patera returned to the net after playing up with the Vancouver Canucks. He had an incredible first save of the game. 

The energy in the building was electric as fans waited in anticipation for the first goal of the night to be scored by the home town team. 

Both teams battled hard driving the puck to the opposing zone. The game was high energy from the drop of the puck. 

Jujhar Khaira took the first penalty for hooking at 4:26, giving Coachella Valley the man advantage. Abbotsford was successful on the penalty kill. 

Coachella Valley’s J.R. Avon took their first penalty of the night at 8:56 for tripping. This gave Abbotsford their first man advantage where they looked to score the opening goal.

Nils Åman capitalized on the advantage, securing the first goal of the night at 9:16 and triggering the teddy bear toss. This was Åman’s second goal of the season. The goal was assisted by Jackson Kunz. 

The energy continued throughout the first period with a number of scoring opportunities from both sides. Abbotsford looked to widen the gap before the second period, while Coachella Valley looked to tie the game. 

Ben Berard served a bench minor for too many men on the ice at 15:50. Putting Coachella Valley on the man advantage. Jagger Firkus secured the power play goal tying the game 1-1. 

Jimmy Schuldt battled back, getting his first goal of the season at 17:39 putting the game 2-1 for Abbotsford. The goal was assisted by Chase Wouters and Arnaud Durandeau. 

Joseph LaBate took a penalty at 18:20 for roughing, giving Coachella Valley their third power play of the period. 

The first period would end 2-1 for Abbotsford. 

The second period would start with 20 seconds left on the Abbotsford penalty kill. Abbotsford was successful on the penalty kill. 

Mackenzie MacEachren opened the scoring in the second at 3:21 in the second. The goal was assisted by Ben Berard and Victor Mancini. Putting the game 3-1 for Abbotsford. 

At the faceoff circle both Vilmer Alriksson and Coachella Valley’s David Goyette took cross-checking penalties at 5:44. Moments later at 6:12, Coachella Valley’s Ville Ottavainen took a holding penalty, putting the game 3-on-4. 

Both teams were successful in killing off the first penalties. Abbotsford had a number of opportunities for a goal, however, Coachella Valley was successful on the second penalty kill. 

Danila Klimovich went to the box for interference at 9:45, giving Coachella Valley the man advantage. Abbotsford was successful on the penalty kill. 

Coachella Valley’s Ty Nelson went to the box for tripping at 12:53. Putting Abbotsford on the power play, they would be unable to capitalize on the man advantage. 

Coachella Valley’s Eduard Šalé took a holding penalty at 18:14, putting Abbotsford back on the man advantage to end the second. 

The second period ended 3-1 for Abbotsford. 

Abbotsford started the third period with 14 seconds left on the power play. Coachella Valley would be successful on the penalty kill. 

Coachella Valley’s Firkus opened the scoring in the third at 1:19, his second of the night, putting the game 3-2. 

The energy and physicality remained high in the opening minutes of the third period. Abbotsford looked to widen the gap, while Coachella Valley looked to tie the game. 

Coachella Valley pulled their goalie for the extra attacker which would help them tie the game. Coachella Valley’s Lleyton Roed scored the tying goal at 18:26 in the third. 

The game would go to overtime for the second game in a row. However, despite close calls on either side it would go to a shootout. Coachella Valley secured the win in shootout, putting the score 4-3. 

Though the game started strong for Abbotsford they lost their momentum in the third period. However, they have a chance to redeem themselves tomorrow when they play Coachella Valley in their second of two games on December 6, at 4pm, PST at Rogers Forum.