Quigley, Hultgren Wager Illinois Goods in Friendly Bet with Florida Representatives over Stanley Cup
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley(IL-05), Co-Chair of the Congressional Hockey Caucus, along with fellow Illinois Members of Congress, Reps. Randy Hultgren (IL-14), Danny Davis (IL-07) and Rodney Davis (IL-13), wagered home state goods in a friendly Stanley Cup bet against Florida colleagues, Reps. Dennis A. Ross (FL-15), David Jolly (FL-13) and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12). U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi helped finalize the bet with a "puck drop" this morning. Tonight, the Chicago Blackhawks will face the Tampa Bay Lightning for the first of a best-of-seven game series for the Stanley Cup, the National Hockey League's (NHL) championship prize.
"I'm looking forward to an exciting Stanley Cup Final series. Tampa Bay has a great team, and we Chicagoans respect the proud tradition of the Lightning being one of the NHL's original 30," said Rep. Quigley. "But I'm calling the Hawks in 6 and looking forward to eating a delicious grouper sandwich from Congressman Jolly when it happens."
Rep. Quigley wagered one of the Fifth District's classics, Eli's Cheesecake, on the off chance the Tampa Bay Lightning takes home the cup.
Rep. Quigley (left) and Rep. Jolly (right) face off on the Capitol steps as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi drops the puck.
Members of the Illinois and Florida House delegation "face off" on the steps of the Capitol Building.
"The Chicago Blackhawks are on the verge of winning three Stanley Cups in six years, dominating the NHL," said Rep. Hultgren. "In a friendly wager, I'm willing to offer up Portillo's Italian Beef and Graham's Chocolate in full confidence our Hawks will emerge victorious over Tampa Bay. May the best team win. Go Hawks!"
"The last time the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup, the iPhone hadn't been invented yet," said Rep. Rodney Davis. "As part of a friendly wager with my colleagues from Florida, I'm offering up some Del's Popcorn from Decatur, IL. Looking forward to a great series and some delicious Sunshine-state products. Go Hawks!"
"We have the best beaches in the world and soon we'll have the Stanley Cup too," said Rep. Jolly. "I'm offering up tasty grouper sandwiches in our bet with the Illinois Congressional delegation but the reality is we'll be dining on Chicago deep dish pizza in just a few days. And don't worry Blackhawks fans about not getting seats at Amalie Arena, we're sparing you the agony of watching another electrifying Lightning win. Go Bolts!"
"The only thing sweeter than my wager of Florida's fresh squeezed orange juice and Ybor City cigars will be the massive victory parade and celebration back home when the Tampa Bay Lightning win the Stanley Cup," said Rep. Ross. "I look forward to a great series. Go Bolts!"
"I have confidence the Lightning will win in 6 games; so much so that I will wager authentic Tarpon Springs Sponges and baklava. I am looking forward to celebrating the Bolts' victory by sinking my teeth into a juicy sandwich from Portillo's," Rep. Bilirakis said.
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