Let’s just hope the Habs aren’t playing May 2nd, or we might need to reschedule the whole election:

French election debate switched to Wednesday because of Habs

OTTAWA—File this one in the only-in-Canada category.

A multi-partisan outcry has led to the rescheduling of a federal election debate so that it does not overlap with a first-round Montreal Canadiens playoff game.

So, for those keeping score at home, it’s Montreal Canadiens 1, Elizabeth May 0.

Sadly, I think we missed a golden opportunity here. We could have gone ahead with the debate on Thursday, but just held it during intermissions and commercial breaks. Have the four leaders sitting around at a pub watching the game over nachos and beer (or wine for Michael, I guess), talking politics.

If anything, this would boost viewership in the debate. To keep the flow going, you’d just need to make sure the leaders used a few clever transitions:

-“Price has been great tonight – but you know what price isn’t great? The $30 billion Harper is paying for fighter jets?”
-“The Bruins broke into the Canadiens’ zone quickly there – almost as quick as Michael Ignatieff broke into Canada from Boston.”
-“Hey guys, did I mention I was writing a hockey book?”

You know, stuff like that. We missed a great opportunity.