The Alberta battle officially began with a friendly hockey bet between the city councils of Calgary and Edmonton. Canadian elite soccer players associated with both cities also made bets.
Calgary Flames plays Edmonton Oilers in the NHL’s Western Conference Semifinals in a post-season match since 1991. The Best of Seven series will begin on Wednesday in Calgary.
Mayor of Calgary, Jyoti Gondek, said all council members of the defeated city are expected to wear the winning team’s jersey at the first meeting after the end of the series.
“But we also agreed with the defeated team. At the first council after the series, the mayor will do a full paint to celebrate the opposition team,” she said at a press conference on Monday.
“I’m sure I won’t wear orange and blue paint at the Council on June 7. I’m really looking forward to seeing Mayor Sohi (Amargit) wearing Flame C on his face.”
Sohi, who was traveling on Monday, said in an email statement that the Alberta match was a dream come true for hockey fans.
“It will not only give us fun, but will also help our state recover financially,” he said.
The playoffs of Alberta also prompted a friendly bet between Canadian soccer players Alphonso Davies and Sam Adek Gube.
Adekugbe, who grew up in Calgary and is currently playing in Turkey for Hatayspor, contacted Bayern Munich star Davis, who grew up in Edmonton on social media for a bet.
“What does @NHLFlames want to bet on to beat @EdmontonOilers?” Adekugbe tweeted.
“It won’t happen, but let’s do it,” Davis replied.
The loser must donate $ 2,000 to the winning team’s charity foundation and take a picture in the jersey.
“I like the sound,” Davis said.
In addition to wearing the colors of the winning team for the mayor, Gondek said defeated city council members would donate money from their pockets to organizations that help children with cancer. This donation honors Ben Stelter, a boy from Edmonton who suffered from brain cancer and became known as the lucky charm of the Oilers.
“May is a good month to recognize brain tumors,” she said. “For the past year, Ben has been incredibly brave and all hockey fans are rooting for him.”
Two organizations, the Kids with Cancer Society in Edmonton and the Kids Cancer Care in Calgary, provide emotional, educational and financial support to families and children dealing with cancer.
“Both the Edmonton City Council and the Calgary City Council want to expand the great work of these two organizations throughout Alberta,” said Gondec.
Sohee, meanwhile, said he would support the Oilers at every stage.
“Edmonton is a city of hockey, and it has always been,” he said. “I … send a happy wish to Mayor Gondek as the Oilers defeat the flames and move forward in the playoffs.”
Collet del Wallis
follow