Warriors First Teddy Bear Toss Huge Success

If you ask any lacrosse fan they’ll tell you there’s no such thing as an off-season from the game regardless if it’s regular season or not.

Locally the Delta Islanders are in the process of announcing their annual award winners for the past season which will be announced December 27th for recognition well deserved.

For many young players this is the start of what could be a pro career which means playing with friends for life and not just in the sporting world but life.

Several teams have a first and this first came at the hands of the visiting Las Vegas Desert Dogs on First Nations Night and Vancouver’s inaugural Teddy Bear Toss.

This isn’t just any normal night but rather a night that everyone welcomes bringing various size “Bears” to the game to throw on the ice of the turf  as they did when the Warriors pulled out a 15-9 win at Rogers Arena.

The Warriors got their start when they were known as the Albany Attack from 2000 to 2003, then moving to San Jose for five seasons (2004-2009) as the Stealth.

From there they headed north to play in Washington Stealth for three seasons from 2010-2013 which saw them win the league championship in 2010.

Once again they were sold, eventually becoming the Vancouver Stealth in 2014 playing at the Langley Events Centre until 2017 eventually being sold to the Vancouver Canucks ownership.

They were rebranded to become known as the Vancouver Warriors playing at Rogers Arena where they still call home that saw their first “Teddy Bear Toss” December 13th.

Motivation can prove to be the key to success and knowing that pressure was on the team for their first win of the early season saw Warriors Keegan Bal lead them to the win with four goals and four assists.

Along with his eight point night Adam Charalambides also tallied with eight points (two goals and six assists) which included the goal that sent the “Teddy Bear’s” in the third quarter at 1:05 to the delight of the crowd.

Both Curtis Dickson and Jesse King each managed a pair, while the Warriors singles came off the sticks off Payton Cormier, Marcus Klarich, and Ryan Sheridan, while Shane Simpson and Tyler Garrison each potted their first goals as Warriors. 

Warriors local fan favorite and goaltender Christian Del Bianco faced 53 shots  turned aside 44 many of which were labeled to turn on the red light.

The Warriors head to Ontario playing the Firewolves in Oshawa at the Tribute Communities Centre December 19 with the face-off set for 4:30 pm, or BC time.

The Warriors return home Friday, January 16 hosting their ever popular “Country Night” which has always been a game the fans pack the rink.