Algonquin College student Steven Coyle's quest for NHL All-Star Game tickets came to an unexpectedly happy finish on Saturday thanks to the kindness of strangers.
The 18-year-old Algonquin College student said he had spent weeks scanning the Internet and entering contests for the elusive tickets.
"A lot of people online were trying to sell them for crazy amounts of money," he said. "I gave up hope a couple of days ago, seemed like people were just raising prices."
It turns out Coyle won't have to pay for tickets at all after Kim and James Wayling heard his story on CTV Ottawa and decided to give him their two tickets.
"I just thought it would be nice to send someone who would appreciate sitting in those seats far more than us," said Kim. "People who have all the passion in the world for the game."
"It feels awesome, it feels amazing," Coyle said after being given the tickets at the NHL Fan Fair at the Ottawa Convention Centre. "I didn't think this would happen at all."
The Waylings said they had been looking forward to the meeting.
"Seeing his reaction, it's well worth giving them away," James said. "It's just nice to see."
"I'm just so thankful, they're the nicest people," Coyle said. "It's nice to see people like that in the world."
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Claudia Cautillo