City of Powell River Mayor Dave Formosa is cheering for Powell River Kings in the BC Hockey League conference final for more than one reason.
Formosa has entered into a friendly wager with Penticton Mayor Dan Ashton. Kings are squaring off against Penticton Vees in the Fred Page Cup championship, a best-of-seven series.
The mayor of the losing team will be forced to pose for a photo wearing the opposing city’s jersey and giving a “thumbs up” to that team. The mayor of the winning city’s team will receive a basket of goodies from the losing team’s community.
“Go, Kings, go,” Formosa said. “I’m really looking forward to winning and seeing the mayor of Penticton wearing our jersey and I’m looking forward for the mayor to send me my gift. What I’m not looking forward to is wearing their jersey and sending the mayor of Penticton our gifts.”
Ashton laid down the gauntlet to Formosa by saying he was craving salmon—and in enough quantities to match the weight of two bottles of Wine Country’s best.
Tourism Powell River and Tourism Penticton are co-ordinating the baskets of local provisions.
“This basket will never leave our city limits,” said Ashton. “I know our Vees are about to dethrone the Powell River Kings. A healthy rivalry between mayors is good to help both communities fill their arenas with fans supporting some incredible junior hockey players.”
The series began in Penticton on Friday, April 6. The Kings are down two games, but returned to Hap Parker Arena last night for games three and four.
