Pucks and bears fly at Catholic Central-Byron Center game

By Joe Aulisio | Originally published by WOOD TV

BYRON CENTER, Mich. (WOOD) — Catholic Central knocked off Byron Center 3-1 in boys high school hockey at Southside Ice Arena Friday night.

The final score wasn't nearly as important as the cause the two teams were playing for.

BILLY BEAR YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER AND CATHOLIC CENTRAL HOCKEY CO-CAPTAIN JAKE ONSTOTT POINTS UP TO BILLY AFTER SCORING THE GOAL TO SEND THE TEDDY BEARS ONTO THE ICE

This was the third annual Billy Bear Hug Teddy Bear Toss. 

Fans purchased teddy bears to toss on the ice after the first goal of the game was scored. The Billy Bear Hugs Foundation then collects the teddy bears and gives them to children in West Michigan battling life-threatening illnesses.  

Danny Nelson, who started this game for Catholic Central three years ago, assisted on the first goal of the game as Jake Onstott (also a member of the Billy Bear Hug Youth Advisory Board) finished off the Nelson pass. 

Nelson added the final goal of the game in the third period. Harvey Holleman scored the second goal of the game in the second period.

Byron Center's loan goal was scored by Tanner Moore.