Calgary, Edmonton mayors place bet on Battle of Alberta playoff series

The mayors of Calgary and Edmonton are placing a friendly bet on which team will win the Battle of Alberta playoff series between the Flames and Oilers.

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek held a media availability on Monday to announce the terms of their wager.

The losing mayor and members of City Council will have to show up to their next respective Council meeting after the series ends with their face painted in the colours of the opposing team, and wearing their rivals jersey.

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If the Flames win, Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi has agreed to paint his face red, while if the Oilers take it, Gondek says she’ll cover her face with orange and blue paint.

“I’m confident that I will not be donning orange and blue paint at the June 7 Council meeting,” Gondek said. “And I’m very much looking forward to seeing Mayor Sohi wearing the Flames’ ‘C’ on his face.”

The losing side will also have to donate to a charitable cause in the opposite city, either to the Kids with Cancer Society in Edmonton or the Kids Cancer Care Foundation in Calgary.

The donations are in recognition of Oilers superfan Ben Stelter, who is battling brain cancer.

All the way from Las Vegas, Ben and his friend @BarkAndreFurry are saying Play La Bamba baby!!!!! @EdmontonOilers we’re on our way home for round 2!!!!!! #oilers #yeg #BenOilersStrong pic.twitter.com/vcMcLP7Ngo

— Mike Stelter (@m_dan25) May 15, 2022

“Kids with Cancer Society in Edmonton has made a very big difference in the lives of Ben and his family,” Gondek said. “Both Edmonton City Council and Calgary City Council would like to amplify the great work of these two organizations throughout Alberta.”

The dollar amount for the donations have not been finalized yet, but Gondek said that it will be councillors themselves opening their wallets when the time comes.

The best-of-seven series begins Wednesday at the Saddledome in Calgary.

–With files from Tom Ross