The gloves are off and bets are in as mayors from Dallas and Edmonton engage in a friendly face-off over the upcoming Stars-Oilers NHL Western Conference Finals. Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson and Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi have publicly thrown down the gauntlet, agreeing to a wager that will see the losing city's mayor don the winning team's jersey and offer up best wishes for the Stanley Cup Finals.

"Hey @DallasMayor! The @EdmontonOilers are facing off against your @DallasStars in the Western Conference Finals starting tonight," Mayor Sohi posted, as the City of Dallas reported. He went on to jab about Alberta beef and northern lights—throwing not-so-subtle regional pride into the mix. Mayor Johnson volleyed back with Texas bravado, "You have a deal @AmarjeetSohiYEG! I can’t wait to see you in a @DallasStars jersey cheering Dallas on as we play for the @StanleyCup! Oh, and nobody who has ever eaten both our beef and yours has ever come away thinking Alberta beef is better. But throw some in anyway when you lose."

This bout of sportsmanship and civic pride comes as Dallas prepares to host the Oilers for Game 1 at American Airlines Center. While the mayors' stakes are playfully personal, their banter reflects the larger camaraderie and competitive spirit that sport often brings out in communities and their leaders. Mayor Johnson, boasting about a double wager week, expressed confidence in his home team. "Dallas is a city of winners, and the Dallas Stars are no exception," he declared, according to the City of Dallas. "They have played an incredible season, and I look forward to seeing Mayor Sohi root for Dallas when we head to the Stanley Cup Finals!"

Both mayors have put their civic pride on the line, but it's all in good fun as the cheers and jeers rev up for the highly anticipated matchup. May the best team win, and may the losing mayor wear their jersey with as much pride as they displayed in their playful ribbing. Game one is set to drop the puck tonight, injecting yet another thrilling chapter into the storied legacy of the NHL playoffs.