Teddy Bears fly over spectator's heads during the first intermission of the Baldwinsville Varsity Boy's Ice Hockey game against Oswego on Thursday, January 29, 2009. All Teddy Bears were collected to be given to Crouse Hospital.
I’ve been putting my sports lens, the Nikon 70-200 VR Zoom Lens, to work the last couple of weeks by photographing my high school alma matar’s varsity boy’s ice hockey team. During a game last week, the team had a Teddy Bear Toss. This is the second year the Baldwinsvile Bees have asked people to bring or purchase at the game new, unused teddy bears to be thrown onto the ice during the first intermission. All the teddy bears are registered before the game and the closest one to center ice wins a prize for the thrower.
The announcer counts down and everyone with a Teddy Bear heaves them out onto the ice. The safety netting posed a large obstacle so it took a few minutes to get them all out there. When all was said and done, over 100 teddy bears of every size and color covered the ice. They were collected by some of the players to be given to Crouse Hospital’s Pediatric ward.
A Baldwinsville player helps to collect Teddy Bears thrown by spectators during the first intermission of the Baldwinsville Varsity Boy's Ice Hockey game. Teddy bears were donated to the Crouse Hospital.
I’ll be following the team for the rest of the season as time permits. Click here to see more Baldwinsville Bees Ice Hockey game pictures. Go Bees!
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That first picture is killer! The wonder in the girls eyes, the bears in circular flight over her head…stunning.
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What a great idea! Obviously a lot of fun for the fans. Both your shots are super.
Hey, have you got another assignment going at present? I totally missed the local landmark one. Too bad, too, because Ottawa has a few of those…. 😉
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Thanks, Shrew! The VR of the lens helped quite a bit as that was shot hand held. I like the little girls face, too. She gives a magical quality to the picture.
Julie, I’ll have another assignment in a couple of weeks. The Teddy Bear Toss originated in Canada. Not much of a surprise there. 🙂
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What a great fun event. Great shots of it too.
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I love this photo too. Do you feel the joy of children, an image with great emotion – as it should be, with movement, light and color, great.
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I actually really love the shot of the hockey player. I think its the contrast of the giant goalie’s pads and the little teddy bears – something great about them together.
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I also am partial to the shot of the hockey player. It’s quite an unlikely scene so it draws you into the photo. What a wonderful tradition. I’m sure the children at the hospital will appreciate those soft cuddly teddy bears.
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This is very cruel throwing bears onto cold ice 🙂
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No teddy bears were harmed during the toss. 😉
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I absolutely LOVE that first picture!! The teddy bears are such a great idea. I remember when my older daughter was almost 3 years old, we were in a car accident. She was fine, but I had a broken wrist and got to ride to the hospital in an ambulance. One of the EMTs gave Melissa a Barney (unfortunately!! They were out of teddys) to make her feel a little less scared. They really do make a difference.
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