Sen. Durbin makes Blackhawks wager with a twist

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla. | AP file photos

WASHINGTON — The Blackhawks hit the ice tonight when the Stanley Cup finals begin at 7 p.m. Chicago time in Tampa and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., made an unusual wager with Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., — not just food or drink made famous in their home states.

If, heaven forbid, the Tampa Bay Lightning wins, Durbin owes Nelson Garrett Mix popcorn and 312 beer from Goose Island Brewery.

If the Blackhawks win, then Nelson must provide Durbin with a box of Cuban sandwiches from Tampa.

The senior senators from their respective states “agreed that the loser would work off the food by doing a number of pushups equal to the total number of goals scored in the series,” Durbin’s office said in a statement.

“This is the third time in six years that the Blackhawks find themselves playing for the Stanley Cup,” Durbin said. “The determination and skill of the Blackhawks came through in the playoffs capped off by the Game 7 victory at Anaheim. Coach Joel Quenneville’s team has the talent, experience and heart to bring the Stanley Cup home again to Chicago and the best fans in all of hockey.”

“The Tampa Bay Lighting are a source of pride for the entire Tampa Bay community,” Nelson said. “They have shown how you can get results when you work together as a team. And all of their fans are wishing them the best of luck.”