EDMONTON — In a spirited showdown reminiscent of last year’s bet, Edmonton’s mayor Amarjeet Sohi may once again find himself declaring an official Florida Panthers Day in Alberta’s capital city. This comes as the Edmonton Oilers gear up to face the Florida Panthers for the second consecutive year in the Stanley Cup Final.
Last year’s wager between Sohi and Mike Ryan, the mayor of Sunrise, Florida, had its comedic moments, including Sohi donning a Panthers jersey during a council meeting after the Oilers’ defeat. With both cities’ pride on the line again, the stakes are high. The losing mayor will publicly read a decree scripted by the winning city’s mayor, commemorating the champion team.
Ryan humorously anticipates crafting a decree that will be enjoyable but also a bit embarrassing for Sohi to recite, affirming that he believes Sohi would reciprocate with a similar light-hearted tribute if the Oilers were to triumph.
Sohi exudes confidence in the Oilers’ chances this year. “Edmonton is more ready than ever,” he stated, emphasizing the team’s passion and talent in their quest to bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada.
The dynamic has evolved since last year’s match-up, with the Panthers celebrating their first Stanley Cup victory in franchise history. As politics plays its part, there have been reports indicating a decline in Canadian visits to the U.S., partly attributed to a climate of trade tensions and other diplomatic issues.
Nonetheless, Ryan remains optimistic that Edmonton’s fans will travel to support their team, as they did last year. “I know we’re ready to welcome the Edmonton fans and the Canadian fans,” he remarked, suggesting that despite any underlying national tensions, the focus will be firmly on the game when it begins.
This year, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is taking a different approach and will not engage in a wager with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, opting instead to show support in line with the team’s mindset.
As both teams prepare for the championship battle, fans on both sides eagerly await what promises to be an exciting and unifying experience, showcasing the enduring love for hockey that transcends regional boundaries.