It’s game on as the OJHL North Division championship series gets set to begin tonight.
But first: When the Newmarket Hurricanes host the Markham Royals here on Sunday, March 17 at Ray Twinney Sports Complex in Game 2 of the second round in a best-of-seven, the teams’ respective mayors will also face off with a friendly challenge of their own.
On the social media site Twitter March 10, Ontario Junior Hockey League communications director Jim Mason asked if a wager between the York Region mayors was in the cards.
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti jumped at the bet, quickly tweeting, “I am in!!!”
Newmarket Mayor John Taylor wasted no time with a reply: “100 per cent: The loser must write a Facebook post about their favourite things about the winner’s town/city".
Mason then followed up with a humourous tweet to firm up the wager: "(It’s on) ...like Donkey Kong! Thank you, gentlemen. See you at the rink."
The #gocanesgo fan base is amped up for the playoff series, which begins tonight, Friday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Markham Centennial Centre, 8600 McCowan Rd., Unionville.
Hurricanes supporter Daryl Colyer and his daughter, both of whom say they are the Hurricanes’ “biggest fans”, send a video message on Twitter to the local team Friday afternoon from “sunny Mexico”, where they are vacationing.
They wished the Canes good luck and said they were sorry to miss the first three games against Markham, but they’ll be following the action online.
Thanks so much! What great support from amazing fans! Have fun in Mexico. We’ll do our best to give you something to cheer for! https://t.co/bYDaLDaECs
— Newmarket Hurricanes (@NmktHurricanes) March 15, 2019
Mayor Scarpitti couldn’t resist tweeting to Mayor Taylor just hours before tonight’s first game: “Looking forward to your Facebook post on your favourite things about Markham.”
For everything you need to know about the North Division championship series, including games times, locations, and to watch live online, visit the Newmarket Hurricanes website here.
Newmarket meets Markham in Round 2 Sunday, March 17 at 2:30 p.m. at the Ray Twinney Sports Complex, 100 Eagle St. W., Newmarket. This will be Game 2 of the second round.
The Hurricanes say Cobs Bread gift cards will be given away as prizes at Sunday’s game.
