WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderChicago, Vancouver mayors make wager on playoff series

Chicago, Vancouver mayors make wager on playoff series

Courtesy: Chicago Blackhawks

Mayor Richard M. Daley today wagered a package of food and drink products from Chicago companies that the Blackhawks will defeat the Vancouver Canucks

in the Western Conference semi-final playoffs that begin tonight.

"This is a great time to be a sports fan in Chicago," Daley said in a City Hall news conference. "For the first time since 2002, the Blackhawks are in post-season

play in the National Hockey League."

The Mayor said this has already been a great season for the Hawks: they finished the season with 104 points - sixth best in the league -- brought

excitement back to the United Center in hockey season and set an all-time franchise attendance record in the process.

"This is a young and exciting team and they play with a lot of confidence," Daley said."Well, I have a lot of confidence in them and to show how confident I am, I'm

making a friendly wager on the series with Mayor Gregor Robertson. We've puttogether a package of Chicago products that includes just about everything

anyone needs to enjoy a Hawks' win," he said.

Chicago is wagering:

* A case of franks, a case of jumbo franks and a case of Polish Sausage

from Red Hot Chicago

* Two bottles of red Sangria and two bottle of Red Zinfandel from the Glunz

Family Winery

* A case of Red Hots candy and a case of Chewey Atomic Fireballs from

the Ferrara Pan Candy Company

* A case of Organic Four Cheese and Organic Garden Marinara Sauce from

Pastorelli Food Products

* Two dozen Blackhawks' cupcakes from Abundance Bakery and

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* Three cases of Red Felt beer from the Goose Island Brewery

* And because Vancouver is hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics and the two

cities have the Olympic Movement in common, the wager will also include

a selection of Chicago 2016 gear in honor of the City's bid to host the

2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Vancouver is wagering these local products:

* Two Cases of Granville Island Brewery beer, some Cherry Stout from

Storm Brewing and a case of Molson Canadian from the Burrard Street

Brewery

* A box of Bad Girl Chocolates

* One case of smoked BC salmon

* A box of Que Pasa Hand-Cut Organic Corn Tortilla Chips

* One pound of dried wild morels from Pacific Rim Mushrooms

* One case of Gourmet Vegetarian Blueberry Sauce from Thai Princess and

* A generous package of Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games gear and

several City of Vancouver umbrellas in the Canuck colors (Blue & Green).

"I want to congratulate everyone in the Blackhawks organization on the team's performance during the regular season. We're proud that they represent our city.

We're all looking forward to a great series starting tonight," Daley said.