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by Terri Sullivan
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Valentine’s Day was all about love for one Central Ohio couple, but their celebration also came with ice, skates and a cannon blast.
Catie Shuman and Keith Damanti didn’t just attend a Columbus Blue Jackets game — they got married at one, exchanging vows at Nationwide Arena.
Shuman said the couple first connected over hockey.
“We met through a dating app and one of the things I think that connected us was we both put hockey in our profiles," she said. "And on our first date, I think we spent most of the time talking about hockey."
Their shared interest quickly became a regular part of their relationship.
“It became a regular date night,” Shuman said, adding that she was a season ticket holder when they met.
Even the proposal stayed on theme.
“When he proposed, he actually had a hockey puck that he carved out the center of it and said, ‘Will you marry me?’ and put the ring in that. so there was even hockey in that," Shuman said. "I had to. I had to.”
When it came time to plan their wedding, Shuman said she pitched an idea tied to the Blue Jackets’ signature cannon.
“Keith got home from work that day and I was like, 'How would you like to get married in front of the cannon?'” she said.
Damanti said he was skeptical at first.
“I didn't believe her," he said. "I thought this was some trick. In my mind, I'm seeing dollar signs, and it actually wasn't that bad. So I mean, yeah. let's do it.”
Damanti said his only disappointment came after the ceremony.
“My only regret is they didn't fire the cannon off after we said I do,” he said.
After the vows, the couple brought family and friends to the game that night, complete with custom jerseys. Shuman said the jerseys were personalized for the occasion.
“It said Keith and Katie on the back, and all of them had the No. 22 ‘cause that was the year we got married,” she said. “Everybody signed the front of the jersey, and that was our guest book.”
Damanti said the story has gotten a big reaction from others.
“Everyone I’ve told this story to is like, 'Wow, that’s amazing,'” he said.
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