The Columbus Blue Jackets remember Johnny Gaudreau at the first home game of the season.Picture: keystone
16.10.2024, 10:0416.10.2024, 14:06
On Wednesday night, the Columbus Blue Jackets played their first home game of the new NHL season against the Florida Panthers. It has been clear for some time that this would be a very emotional time. At the end of the summer, Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were struck and killed by a drunk driver riding a bicycle.
After the funeral, which was attended by friends and family as well as many teammates and other NHL players, more than 18,000 fans said goodbye to their player in the Nationwide Arena at the game in Columbus.
Even during the warm-up it was clear that this was no ordinary game. Both teams took to the ice wearing jerseys with Gaudreau’s number 13 and his name on the back. Before this, Johnny’s father, Guy Gaudreau, was invited to participate in the Blue Jackets morning skate as part of the coaching staff.
Before the game actually started, a ceremony was on the agenda. Johnny’s number 13 was pulled under the roof in front of his widow Meredith, his parents Guy and Jane and their children Noa and Johnny.
That’s not enough of the emotional moments. When the teams lined up for the first game, the Blue Jackets only had four players. The left wing, where Johnny Gaudreau played, remained empty for the first 13 seconds of the game.
In the end, the Blue Jackets lost to the Florida Panthers 3-4. But the most important goal was still scored by a Columbus player. Sean Monahan, a close friend of the Gaudreau family, gave his team a 2-1 lead in the second period.
While celebrating, he immediately focused on Johnny Hockey’s number under the hall roof to commemorate his late colleague. (abu)
All Swiss drafted into the NHL
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All Swiss drafted into the NHL
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The Swiss fans and also some players were angry afterwards A 2:2 draw against Denmark was excellent. In the 74th minute, the national team was denied a goal because the ball had gone out of bounds before Zeki Amdouni struck. It was not clear from the television images whether Filip Ugrinic’s corner crossed the baseline before reaching the receiver. Breel Embolo questioned the decision after the game and explained that he did not see the ball on the pitch or on the TV images afterwards.