Tuesday night's home opener for the Columbus Blue Jackets was filled with all sorts of emotions.
It was the first game on home ice since star left wing Johnny Gaudreau and his brother passed away in August.
The Jackets honored the brothers with a number of tributes, including holding up a makeshift memorial, a banner with Gaudreau's number 13, and shortening the ice alone.
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Columbus Blue Jackets' No. 23 Sean Monahan celebrates a goal during the second period against the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Arena on October 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Jason Morley/Getty Images)
But what happened in the second period can only be explained by fate.
Sean Monahan played with Gaudreau for seven seasons with the Flames in Calgary, but this season was supposed to be Gaudreau's third in Columbus.
However, Monahan signed with Columbus to team up with his best friend. However, the two never shared the ice wearing jacket sweaters.
But Gaudreau's presence was certainly felt as Monaghan scored in the second period and almost immediately pointed to No. 13 in Gaudreau's rafters.
Monahan won the first faceoff and passed the puck to an empty spot on the ice where Gaudreau was supposed to be.
Both the Jaquez and Florida Panthers wore Gaudreau's No. 13 jersey during warmups.
Columbus Blue Jackets players warm up before their game against the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Arena on October 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Jason Morley/Getty Images)
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Gaudreau and her brother Matthew, 31 and 29 years old respectively, were killed by a suspected drunk driver in late August while riding their bikes in their home state of New Jersey the day before their sister's wedding.
Gaudreau's father, Guy, was with the team at the morning skates Monday and Tuesday.
“He just looked like he was having fun,” Jackets head coach Dean Evason said. “I'm just having fun skating. I told him, 'If you want to come out anytime, you're welcome.'
Guy Gaudreau attended practice with the Philadelphia Flyers last month. The Gaudreau family lives in the Philadelphia suburbs.
A monument honoring Johnny Gaudreau is on display before the game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers at Nationwide Arena on October 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Jason Morley/Getty Images)
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According to New Jersey State Police, the Gaudreau brothers were riding their bicycles down the road at about 8:30 p.m. ET when Sean Higgins, 43, who was also driving in the same direction, passed two other vehicles. I tried to do so and collided with him.
They were pronounced dead at the scene. Police said Higgins was charged with two motor vehicle crashes while under the influence of alcohol and was booked into the Salem County Correctional Facility.
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