Durbin, Levin Place Friendly Wager on Blackhawks-Red Wings Series

Press Release

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) today put home-state products on the line as they announced a friendly wager on the National Hockey League's Western Conference Finals series between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings.

"Owner Rocky Wirtz has made a number of impressive moves to return the Blackhawks to the forefront of the Chicago sports scene," Durbin said. "The skill and heart of young players such as captain Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Brent Seabrook will give the Red Wings all they can handle in this series. From the first notes of the Star-Spangled Banner to the final buzzer, I know Blackhawks fans will be loudly behind their team."

"The Red Wings played an inspired game 7 against Anaheim and are determined to repeat as Stanley Cup champions," said Levin. "I have nothing but respect for Senator Durbin, but the senior senator from Illinois made an error in betting against Detroit. I look forward to seeing the Joe rocking on Sunday, and to enjoying some Chicago deep-dish very soon."

Senator Durbin has wagered Chicago pizza and cheesecake while Senator Levin has countered with Little Caesar's pizza—which is owned by Detroit's Ilitch family, who also own the Red Wings—and products from Sanders, a chocolate and confection company.

The Chicagoland area is buzzing about the Blackhawks' playoff run to the Western Conference Finals. The Hawks quenched the Calgary Flames in six games before doing the same to the Vancouver Canucks in a series marked with several incredible comebacks for Chicago. The defending Stanley Cup Champion Red Wings swept the Columbus Blue Jackets before besting the Anaheim Ducks in seven games.

The best-of-seven Western Conference Finals begin Sunday with a game in Detroit at 2:00 PM. The winner of the series will play for the Stanley Cup Championship.

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