From the Toronto Star’s Sunaya Sapurji.
The ice was littered in Saginaw, Mich., last night. The first projectiles were loose pages of the General Motors annual report. They was followed by a flurry of teddy bears. One account told of a plastic fish being tossed.
There was a hockey game last night between the Saginaw Spirit and Oshawa Generals. But the bizarre antics were the result of a bet, viewed by millions across North America.
The wager was between Stephen Colbert, the satirical host of The Colbert Report, and Oshawa mayor John Gray.
The terms were simple: If the Generals won, Colbert would wear a Generals jersey. If they lost, Oshawa would declare March 20, Gray’s birthday, `Stephen Colbert Day.’
With their 5-4 win over the Generals last night, the Spirit have ensured the American host will have his party in Oshawa.
“I’m always disappointed when the Gens lose,” said Gray last night from a fan bus heading home. The mayor said he hoped to talk with Colbert’s people on Monday to honour the bargain.
The Colbert Report’s obsession with the OHL team began in September, when the Saginaw named their mini-mascot Steagle Colbeagle the Eagle, after the show launched an aggressive internet campaign asking fans to vote for the name. Since then, the show has featured regular updates on the team’s progress.
When Oshawa held their Teddy Bear Toss last month against Mississauga, Colbert feigned offence since his show contends bears are the “number one threat to America.” In retaliation, Colbert posted a link to GM’s annual report on his website and asked fans to toss it at the Generals, who are named after the car manufacturer.