Scottish woman stays awake into the wee hours to watch the Leafs
A young woman is cheering for the Toronto Maple Leafs from across the pond.
It is a long way from Toronto, but Victoria Stewart of Dundee, Scotland, said she loves the Toronto Maple Leafs and posts online after every game.
"I started watching my local team -- the Dundee Stars -- back in 2016 and found out about the NHL shortly after that," said Stewart, a diehard Leafs fan.
"Immediately when I downloaded the NHL app, the Leafs basically picked me. They were the first team that I watched a game of and the only team I’ve every supported."
Stewart said she started posting about the Leafs a long time ago and no one really cared about it until the Leafs had some success in the playoffs.
"People in Toronto started seeing my posts and my content on Twitter and YouTube, and they seem to really enjoy them," she said.
The time difference between Scotland and Ontario is five hours. When a game starts at 7:30 EDT, it is 12:30 a.m. in Scotland. Stewart is so obsessed with the Leafs, she said she will stay up until the wee hours of the morning to watch most of the team’s games.
"I’ve only missed a few games during the season, but I’ve watched almost every single minute of Toronto’s playoff games. It makes for late nights and early mornings," said Stewart.
When asked about what her friends and family think about her cheering on her favourite NHL team, Stewart had this to say.
"There are a lot of hockey fans in Scotland so they understand a little bit more but definitely some people think I’m slightly insane when they see me up at 3 a.m. watching hockey."
Stewart has Leaf jerseys and other clothing items to show her team pride, and she is not shy about who her favourite Leaf player is.
"Definitely, Auston Matthews -- I started watching the Leafs the same year Matthews was drafted," she said.
Toronto is up 3-2 against Tampa in the best of seven series. As for a guess as to who will win game six, her answer was predictable.
"In playoff hockey, anything can happen. I’m thinking it might even go into overtime and Toronto will win," said Stewart.
If that is the case, it is going to be a very long night, or early morning for Stewart.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
New clean fuel regulations to raise gas prices, affect low-income Canadians most
New federal regulations to force down the greenhouse gas emissions from gasoline and diesel will cost Canadians up to 13 cents more per litre at the pump by 2030.
Woman, 20, fatally shot while pushing 3-month-old baby in stroller in New York
A 20-year-old woman was fatally shot Wednesday night while she pushed her 3-month-old infant daughter in a stroller on New York's Upper East Side, police say.
NACI recommends fall COVID-19 booster in advance of possible future wave
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization is recommending booster shots this fall in advance of a possible future wave of COVID-19 in Canada.
Air Canada to reduce flights this summer amid 'customer service shortfalls'
Air Canada is planning to reduce its flights in July and August, according to a statement from the company's president, as the airline continues to deal with 'customer service shortfalls.'
'What were they waiting for?' Woman inside Saanich bank amid shootout describes 'calm' gunmen
A woman who was trapped inside a bank during a robbery and fatal shootout with police near Victoria on Tuesday says there is one question still plaguing her a day later: Why didn't the gunmen just leave with the money?
About half of Americans say Trump should be charged for U.S. Capitol riot: poll
About half of Americans believe former U.S. President Donald Trump should be charged with a crime for his role in the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, a new poll shows.
Migrants who died in trailer tragedy were seeking better lives
As families of the 67 people packed into a tractor-trailer and abandoned on Monday in Texas began to confirm their worst fears and talk of their relatives, a common narrative of pursuing a better life took shape from Honduras to Mexico.
Supreme Court of Canada to rule Thursday if expansions to rape shield laws constitutional
The Supreme Court of Canada will issue a constitutional ruling today about extensions to Canada's rape shield laws made by the Liberals four years ago.
Border restrictions to enter Canada extended until at least Sept. 30
The federal government announced Wednesday all existing border restrictions to enter Canada will remain in place until at least Sept. 30.
Barrie
-
Expert advises wearing a mask as COVID-19 cases rise in Simcoe Muskoka
The emergence of the new BA.5 COVID-19 variant has seen case counts increase in each of the last two weeks in Simcoe County, with 44 new this week by Monday alone.
-
Tourism heats up for summer amid significant staffing shortages
Businesses in The Blue Mountains are banking on a busy Canada Day long weekend and the first restriction-free summer season since 2019.
-
Orillia doctor shortage reaching dire levels
The City of Orillia is investing in attracting health care providers as looming retirements could mean thousands are left without a family doctor.
Toronto
-
Ontario premier to mark upcoming gas tax cut in Brampton today
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is planning to mark the upcoming cut to the province’s gas tax in Brampton on Thursday.
-
Ontario man loses almost 500,000 travel points worth $5,000
An Ontario man says he's frustrated with his bank after almost 500,000 of his travel points disappeared.
-
What's open and closed on Canada Day 2022
What's open and closed on Canada Day 2022? Here's the list.
Ottawa
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING | What you need to know about Canada Day preparations in Ottawa today
The police presence in Ottawa's downtown core is stepped up today, as the city prepares for Canada Day festivities and possible protests.
-
Police identify woman, teen killed at Ottawa home
Anne-Marie Ready, 50, and Jasmine Ready, 15, died from stab wounds following an incident at a home on Anoka Street Monday night, police said Wednesday afternoon.
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING | What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: June 30 - July 3
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at activities and events happening in Ottawa, eastern Ontario and western Quebec over the Canada Day long weekend.
Kitchener
-
Calls for traffic controls at 'treacherous' Kitchener intersection after crash
A serious collision in Kitchener Tuesday has prompted calls for traffic controls to be installed at the off-ramps of Highway 7/8 onto Ira Needles Boulevard.
-
Kitchener rally condemns Roe v. Wade reversal
In the wake of the landmark Supreme Court decision south of the border, demonstrators in Kitchener showed up in support of abortion rights.
-
27-year-old identified as Hensall crash victim
A 27-year-old man has died after a single-vehicle crash near Hensall on Tuesday evening, according to police.
London
-
Fatal collision closes Crediton Road south of Exeter
Crediton Road, just south of Exeter is closed between Airport Line and Ausable line following a collision, Wednesday evening.
-
Four taken to hospital after two-vehicle crash in Elgin County
A panel van went up in flames following a two-vehicle crash in Elgin County on Wednesday, police say the occupants were able to safely escape.
-
School's out for summer! London, Ont. students celebrate last day of school
It was the last day of school for most elementary school students in the region and a time for students and teachers to look forward to summer.
Windsor
-
'They sucked me right in': Retired Windsor firefighter scammed out of thousands
A retired Windsor firefighter is joining Windsor police in warning residents about a gift card scam after falling victim to one this past weekend.
-
What is revenge travel? A 'potential problem' for the region, says WindsorEats owner
A pandemic-inspired trend is encouraging people to pack their bags and jet off to the places they have missed over the past few years — but the owner of WindsorEats says it has him concerned about its negative impact on Windsor-Essex tourism.
-
Heat and humidity to return to Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent ahead of long weekend
The region is in for more hot and humid weather as a two-day heat wave is expected to take hold Thursday.
Montreal
-
Montreal airport to 'likely' cancel flights, destinations amid summertime staffing shortage
Canadians flying out of the Montreal airport might be in for a bit of a shock this summer as the head of the Trudeau airport says airlines will "likely" be asked to cancel some flights — or even destinations altogether.
-
Montreal girl, 4, desperately needs stem cell donation
A social media campaign to help find a compatible stem cell donor for a four-year-old girl in Montreal is putting a spotlight on the lack of diversity in donor lists.
-
Ahead of summer festivals, Quebec health officials warn of rising COVID-19 numbers
Ahead of the hustle and bustle of festival season in Montreal, Quebec health officials are asking people to stay vigilant amid rising COVID-19 numbers.
Atlantic
-
Memorial service held for RCMP Const. Heidi Stevenson, killed in N.S. mass shooting
An RCMP officer who was among 22 people killed in the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting was remembered Wednesday during a regimental service in Halifax for her "fierce" character and brave actions.
-
Saint John Sea Dogs win Memorial Cup with 6-3 victory over Hamilton Bulldogs
The Saint John Sea Dogs are Memorial Cup champions once again.
-
Woman charged with impaired driving after truck crashes into Sydney building
A woman has been charged with impaired driving after she allegedly crashed a vehicle into a building in Sydney, N.S., and left the scene.
Winnipeg
-
Four years after completion, new interchange already requires concrete repairs
A four-year-old road project that cost the province a quarter billion dollars is already in need of repairs.
-
Winnipeg airport feeling 'ripple effect' of delays across Canada
Canadian travellers are having to employ the 'hurry up and wait' practice at airports across the country lately according to new data. According to the Winnipeg Airport Authority (WAA), this impact isn't being felt to the same extent as other airports in the country.
-
Air Canada to reduce flights this summer amid 'customer service shortfalls'
Air Canada is planning to reduce its flights in July and August, according to a statement from the company's president, as the airline continues to deal with 'customer service shortfalls.'
Calgary
-
Parade float attacked Sikh articles of faith, U of C expert says
An expert at the University of Calgary says a float in a small Alberta town's annual parade made a mockery of some of the symbols the Sikh religion hold sacred.
-
Calgary teen charged in alleged murder-for-hire attempt
The Calgary Police Service confirms a 16-year-old has been charged following an investigation into reports the teen had tried to hire someone to commit a murder for them.
-
Trucks hits house in southeast Calgary
Two trucks nearly plowed through the front exterior of a house in southeast Calgary Wednesday evening.
Edmonton
-
Paul Hinman fighting claim he's been removed as Wildrose Independence leader
A man who insists he's still the leader of an Alberta separatist party says an effort to push him out, amid allegations of theft, is being led by "agents" who have infiltrated the board.
-
Guilty verdict for man who killed 1-year-old son in Fort Saskatchewan
Damien Christopher Starrett was found guilty of killing his one-year-old son Ares Starrett and assaulting another child in a Fort Saskatchewan home on Nov. 23, 2019.
-
Funnel cloud spotted south of Edmonton
Thunderstorms over the Leduc region spawned a small funnel cloud Wednesday evening.
Vancouver
-
'How could so much have been missed?' Family of disabled B.C. senior who nearly died of neglect speaks out
Regena Cameron remembers the shock of seeing cousin Jeanette in a B.C. hospital three years ago, after she was admitted in what a judge later called "an advanced state of neglect." Now, she is speaking out, hoping to prevent further suffering.
-
B.C. cop used position to pursue 'intimate relationships' while on duty, authorities say
Authorities have announced charges against a B.C. RCMP officer who allegedly used his position to pursue "intimate relationships with women," both on and off duty.
-
BC Soccer dispute could sideline thousands of youth players
Close to 100,000 kids who play soccer in B.C. could be sideline because of a power struggle off the field.