B-E-A-R-S, bears, bears, bears, wooh!

But we’re not referring to the Hershey Bears, at least not directly. We’re talking teddy bears, which will be raining down this weekend for “Teddy Bear Toss” promotions at American Hockey League games in Hershey and Wilkes-Barre.

In both cases, the teddy bears will be distributed to needy children for the holidays.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are asking fans to bring unwrapped plush toys to Friday’s 7:05 p.m. game against the Portland Pirates (and again on Dec. 17 against the Norfolk Admirals). During the first intermission, fans can toss the stuffed animals onto the ice at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The Pirates move on to Hershey on Saturday night to face the Bears – and more tossed bears. Fans will be instructed to toss the bears onto the Giant Center ice after the Bears score their first goal (Hershey has not been shut out at home this season).

If you show up empty-handed on Saturday, never fear: stuffed versions of the Bears’ mascot, Coco, will be half-price in the team’s merchandise store.

As if those games aren’t reasons enough to lure you out of hiberation to see live hockey, how about these?

7 p.m. Friday: Erie Otters spread the Bubba Luv 

With a league-worst 3-22 record and 10 straight losses, the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters could use a little love – or maybe a whole lot of Bubba Luv, the official “Supafan” of Erie General Electric Federal Credit Union. Luv will compete in his first tricycle race of the season during Friday’s game against the Barrie Colts. The Kitchener Rangers visit Saturday, when the first 2,500 fans will receive a scratch-off ticket courtesy of the Pennsylvania Lottery.

7:05 p.m. Friday: Wheeling steers into Reading

The first-place Wheeling Nailers – ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens – bring their stingy defense and young offense to town. Goalie Peter Delmas – a 2008 second-round draft pick of the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche – is third in goals-against average. Four of the Nailers’ top six scorers are rookies, led by Chris Barton, who is among the league’s top 10 scorers. Reading fans are still getting used to seeing newly acquired Yannick Tifu – once loathed as a member of the Elmira Jackals – in a Royals jersey. The Royals are winless in their past six games.

7 p.m. Friday/2 p.m. Saturday: Mercyhurst women host Cornell

The Lakers, ranked No. 6 nationally, put their nine-game winning streak on the line against their toughest opponent yet, the third-ranked Big Red of Cornell. Mercyhurst will raise money for breast cancer awareness with a “Pink at the Rink” promotion.

7 p.m. Friday/3:30 p.m. Saturday: Icers vs. Rutgers

Off since Nov. 19, the Icers return to the Ice Pavilion for games against the Scarlet Knights. Penn State (11-1), started the season with 10 straight wins before splitting a home-and-home series against Delaware.

Rubber Meets the Road is a weekly guide to the promotions and matchups for your next hockey road trip.