The Columbus Blue Jackets residence opener on Tuesday evening was stuffed with each emotion.
It was their first sport on their residence ice since their star left-winger, Johnny Gaudreau, and his brother had been killed again in August.
The Jackets honored the brothers with loads of tributes, together with elevating a banner with Gaudreau’s No. 13, a makeshift memorial, and even taking the ice a person brief.
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Sean Monahan, #23 of the Columbus Blue Jackets, celebrates his aim within the second interval in opposition to the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Area on Oct. 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Jason Mowry/Getty Pictures)
Nonetheless, what occurred within the second interval may solely be defined by future.
Sean Monahan performed with Gaudreau for seven seasons in Calgary with the Flames, whereas this was set to be Gaudreau’s third season in Columbus.
Monahan, although, signed with Columbus to group up along with his finest pal. Nonetheless, the 2 would by no means share the ice in Jackets sweaters.
Nonetheless, Gaudreau’s presence was actually felt, as Monahan scored a aim within the second interval, and virtually instantly pointed to Gaudreau’s No. 13 within the rafters.
Monahan took the opening faceoff, passing the puck to the empty spot on the ice, the place Gaudreau ought to have been.
Each the Jackets and Florida Panthers wore Gaudreau jerseys along with his No. 13 throughout warmups.
Columbus Blue Jackets gamers heat up earlier than the sport in opposition to the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Area on Oct. 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Jason Mowry/Getty Pictures)
NHL LEGEND HENRIK LUNDQVIST REFLECTS ON JOHNNY GAUDREAU’S DEATH: ‘SUCH A TRAGEDY’
Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, aged 31 and 29 respectively, had been killed in late August by a suspected drunk driver whereas using their bikes of their hometown in New Jersey the day earlier than their sister’s wedding ceremony.
Gaudreau’s father, Man, was with the group at their morning skates Monday and Tuesday.
“It seemed like he was simply having a blast,” Jackets head coach Dean Evason stated. “Simply having enjoyable skating. I stated to him ‘any time you need to come out, you’re greater than welcome.'”
Man Gaudreau attended a Philadelphia Flyers observe final month. The Gaudreaus reside proper exterior of Philly.
A memorial in honor of Johnny Gaudreau is on show earlier than the sport between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Area on Oct. 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Jason Mowry/Getty Pictures)
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In accordance with New Jersey State police, the Gaudreau brothers had been biking on a street when 43-year-old Sean Higgins, driving in the identical course, tried to move two different autos and struck them from behind at round 8:30 p.m. ET.
They had been pronounced useless on the scene. Police stated Higgins was suspected of being inebriated and charged with two counts of loss of life by auto and jailed on the Salem County Correctional Facility.
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