Toronto Maple Leafs' Clarke MacArthur battles for the puck with Boston Bruins' Andrew Ference during second period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Saturday March 23, 2013.The Canadian Press
The mayor of Boston has turned down Toronto mayor Rob Ford's hockey wager.
Mr. Ford told reporters at city hall on Tuesday that he had issued a friendly bet to Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.
"Leafs in six. Toy with them a little bit, yeah," he said of the upcoming Stanley Cup play-off series.
At the time, Mr. Ford said he had not heard back from Mr. Menino about the terms of the bet, but was thinking about betting him a jersey.
But now it's off.
"I was told the bet is not on and I appreciate it," Mr. Ford told reporters after an appearance at Sick Kids Children's hospital.
"They have gone through some really, really tough times down there. He didn't want to bet at this time. That's fine. I accept that. What happened down there is a lot more important than a hockey game," Mr. Ford said.
Ottawa mayor Jim Watson has bet interim Montreal mayor Michael Applebaum a plate of eggrolls from an Ottawa restaurant that the Senators will beat the Montreal Canadiens when they go head to head in their playoff series. If Montreal loses they must hand over some of their famous smoked meat.
On Wednesday Mr. Ford also declared May 6 "blue and white day," encouraging Torontonians to wear the colours to show support for the team.
"Just cheer 'em on. I just want to make sure everyone's well behaved but enjoys themselves. Go out and have a good time," said Mr. Ford, clad in a Leafs jersey.
When asked by reporters if he would declare a citywide holiday if the Leafs won the Stanley Cup, he responded, "we'll have more than a holiday let me tell you."
Mr. Ford said he would be at the May 6 Toronto game and hoped to be at the following game on Wednesday of that week.
The Leafs take on the Boston Bruins Wednesday night for game one of the Eastern Conference quarter-final. It's the first time in nine years that the Toronto team has made it into the Stanley Cup playoffs.