I agree. I think the whole practice of "people being able to run up to the ice and throw things" needs to be banned now because how are you supposed to tell if one of them is dangerous until it's too late? People here keep saying, "Security should have been better." Yes. But... if people are allowed to approach the boards anyway to throw plushies, security will never be fast enough to get someone who goes past them onto the ice. Hate saying that because it is such a tradition, but the world is becoming too unsafe and it isn't worth the risk.

They should do collection bins for skaters, where the volunteers can sort through the plushies beforehand. I've seen it done many times like that at ice shows and it is safer for everyone plus doesn't slow things down.