New Jersey Devils organization loses both Teddy Bear Toss matchups

The New Jersey Devils were able to take a win from the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday afternoon. It was a dominant third period that included four unanswered goals. It was possibly the best period of the season. It really got the day going on a good note.

Unfortunately, those good vibes did no reverberate for the Utica Comets or the Adirondack Thunder. Both teams lost on Saturday night, which is definitely not a surprise for the Comets. They already have 13 losses on the season, five more than anyone else in the North Division. It's been a rough season for Utica, which already led to the firing of Kevin Dineen, but they've been hoping to turn things around.

On Saturday evening, the Comets lost to the Syracuse Crunch 1-0. Thankfully, someone scored, because it was the Crunch's annual Teddy Bear Toss game. When that one goal went in, pandemonium took place.

We hate to see the Comets lose, but that did look like such a fun environment. The bears are cleaned and then donated to local charities. It's a great cause that's unique to hockey. The Comets don't have their own Teddy Bear Toss on the promotion schedule, which seems like a miss.

As the Comets watched a different team throw Teddys on the ice, the Adirondack Thunder were holding their own Teddy Bear Toss. They have fewer losses than the Comets, but it's not exactly a banner year down there, as they are sitting at 10-10-1. Still, despite another loss (this time to the Maine Mariners), it was still a great night.

After collecting the bears, they will go to the Salvation Army of Glens Falls, which will distribute them to children in need throughout the region this holiday season. We are still waiting on final numbers, but last year they collected 4,400 bears for needy kids.

It was a great night for the charities involved even if it wasn't a great night for the Devils organization.