For the Reporter

As the Seattle Thunderbirds prepare to meet the Everett Silvertips in a first-round WHL playoff series this weekend, the opposing venue managers have made a friendly wager.

Whichever team takes the best-of-seven series, the general manager from the losing team’s venue must wear a jersey from the other team for a day and take a few photos in it. A “congrats” message also will be displayed on the losing venue’s outdoor marquee.

Tim Higgins, general manager for SMG at the ShoWare Center, accepted the wager from Rick Comeau, Global Spectrum’s general manager for Comcast Arena.

“We all take pride in being a part of the success of the Thunderbirds organization. I look forward to hearing from Rick soon with his preferred jersey size,” Higgins said.

Added Thunderbirds vice president Colin Campbell:

“The team, our fans, SMG, Savor, ShoWare, the City of Kent, the whole region, we are all very much looking forward to the playoff series and matching up for the first time with our I-5 rival to the north,” Campbell said. “We believe our loud and passionate fans, like the 12s at CenturyLink Field, give the ShoWare Center a decided home-ice advantage for our team and make T-Birds games at ShoWare Center the best fan experience in the WHL. … We are all in. … Go T-Birds.”

The food and beverage managers at each venue also have proposed a friendly family wager. Brothers Brad Olson (general manager for Savor at ShoWare) and Randall Olson (general manager for Centerplate at Comcast Arena) have wagered that the Olson from the losing venue will work behind the counter for a game at his brother’s venue.

The series starts Saturday in Kent, heads north to Everett on Sunday.

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WHL playoffs

First-round schedule

Game 1 – Everett at Seattle, Saturday, March 22, 7:05 p.m.

Game 2 – Seattle at Everett, Sunday, March 23, 4:05 p.m.

Game 3 – Everett at Seattle, Tuesday, March 25, 7:05 p.m.

Game 4 – Seattle at Everett, Friday, March 28, 7:35 p.m.

Game 5 – Everett at Seattle, Saturday, March 29, 7:05 p.m.*

Game 6 – Seattle at Everett, Monday, March 31, 7:05 p.m.*

Game 7 – Everett at Seattle, Wednesday, April 2, 7:05 p.m.*

* if necessary

Tickets on sale are available at www.seattlethunderbirds.com and at the ShoWare Center box office. The box office is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday game days at 10 a.m. and Sunday game days at noon.

Playoff ticket packages and single-game tickets are available by calling the Everett Silvertips office at 425-252-5100 or online at comcastarenaeverett.com.