'Still can't believe it': 1st period proposal makes Game 4 victory that much sweeter for Oilers fan
Even though they cheer for opposite teams, a proposal by a Flames fan at Game 4 of the Battle of Alberta received a resounding "yes" from the Oilers-loving bride to be.
Tessa Monias and Payden Partaker were at Rogers Place Tuesday night, for their respective teams when Partaker said he was approached by a cameraman.
"He says, 'Hey buddy, I see your girlfriend is an Edmonton fan, when the Oilers score I'm going to point the camera at you and they're going to haze you," he said.
Partaker said at that point he whispered in the cameraman's ear, "when the Oilers score I'm going to propose to my girlfriend."
With a shocked nod from the cameraman, the plan was in place. Little did Partaker know, he didn't have to wait long. Just 21 seconds into the first period, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins opened up the scoring, causing Partaker to drop to one knee much earlier than expected.
"She was so busy watching and cheering for her team," he said. "She didn't even notice me go onto my knee."
"I was like, in shock and I couldn't believe it, it was just amazing," said Monias. "I still can't believe it."
Partaker expected a heckler here and there, but there were no naysayers in the vicinity.
"I was expecting to get hazed at least by one Edmonton Oiler fan saying, 'Don't do it, he's a Calgary Flames fan,' but the fans around us actually just felt like family," said Partaker. "They were congratulating us and they were happy for us."
The team rivalry between the couple is deep seeded, each cheering for their dad's favourite team. Calgary for Partaker, Edmonton for Monias.
"It made us strong, because we had to hear hazing from both sides," laughed Partaker.
Partaker said his plan if the Oilers didn't score was to propose in the dying seconds of the third period.
"It was going to happen no matter what," said Partaker.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Carlyle Fiset
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.