Sam Miletic and Robert Thomas scored two goals apiece as the London Knights beat the Flint Firebirds 6-2 Sunday afternoon at Budweiser Gardens.
The victory came during the team's annual Teddy Bear Toss, benefitting the Salvation Army's Christmas Hamper campaign. Thomas would add three assists in the contest.
Flint's Kole Sherwood opened the scoring in the game, as he scored on an empty net at 11:52 into the opening stanza. But it would be Miletic who would have the honour of scoring the first Knights goal at 8:04 in the second period. His first goal of the game would prompt a shower of exactly 9,220 stuffed animals onto the Gardens ice.
Once the bears would scooped up and hauled away, it would be another minute and ten seconds before Miletic would strike again, giving the Knights a lead they would not relinquish for the rest of the game. Thomas would score his first goal of the contest at 11:52 in the second to give the Knights a 3-1 lead at second intermission.
Nicholas Caamano pulled the Firebirds to within one with his 14th goal of the year, on the power play at 4:27. J.J. Piccinich, already with two assists in the game, scored one of his own at 8:28 in the third. Just 41 seconds after that, Adrian Carbonara connected for a 5-2 London lead. Thomas' second goal of the day, at 11:40 in the third, would end the goal scoring in the game.
Tyler Parsons got the win in the paint for London, who host the Mississauga Steelheads Friday night. The Firebirds travel to Sudbury Friday.
The Knights drew 9,036 to the Teddy Bear game, a turnout that thrills the team as well as the Salvation Army.
“This season, we have had another amazing turnout and our fans have continued to showcase why they are the best in the CHL,” said Ryan Starr, the Knights’ public relations and communications manager. “To see those teddy bears raining onto the ice brings our entire organization great joy and pride, knowing that these will be used to help children throughout the city of London.”