All Bets Are On for Stanley Cup Playoffs

When Anaheim’s Mighty Ducks and the Minnesota Wild take to the ice today, more will be at stake than which team goes to the Stanley Cup finals.

Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle and St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly have settled the terms of their friendly playoff wager. If the Wild lose the best-of-seven series, Kelly will send Pringle a “Best of Saint Paul” Care Kit, that includes Summit beer, a book on “How to Speak Minnesotan,” a huge Pearson’s salted nut roll and Minnesota Public Radio’s powdermilk biscuits and designer ketchup.

If the Ducks lose, Pringle will provide lunch for Kelly and his guests, courtesy of Anaheim-based CKE Restaurants, as well as an 8-foot palm from Visser’s Florists, a bottle of California wine from the Catch restaurant, a crystal replica of Sleeping Beauty’s castle from Disneyland, and a box of Anaheim chile peppers from Gigante USA.

The losing mayor also will have to wear the winning team’s jersey in public for a day and issue a proclamation congratulating the winning city.

So far, Anaheim bets have been paying off. The city is riding three consecutive victories in mayoral wagers, including one against another Minnesota mayor when the Twins played the Angels last year.

On Thursday, Arrowhead Pond staff will feast on Texas barbecue, served by Brad Mayne, president and CEO of American Airlines Center in Dallas. Mayne once served as the Pond’s general manager.

Mayne is paying off his losing bet to Pond general manager Tim Ryan after the Ducks defeated the Dallas Stars to advance to the next round of playoffs.