This was absolutely incredible

As The hockey world continues to mourn the loss of Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau, tonight the Columbus Blue Jackets in what was their home opener against the Florida Panthers, had a great tribute night that showed again how this tight community can come together like no other. There several incredible moments throughout the night which started with phenomenal short documentary they aired before puck drop really showing who Johnny was. His love for the game, his up bringing and the family man he was off the ice. We also got to see the many ways Columbus is honouring Johnny this season, they set up a memorial they’ll have all year at Nation Wide, they’re leaving a stall open all season for him, started a new tradition in honour of Johnny with a Donkey hat, Elvis Merzlikins rocking a custom mask, the number 13 painted on both ends of the ice and, really nice is Johnny's dad Guy has on multiple occasions joined the team at practice in what has gotta be real special.
But as for tonight, what was really cool was that the Panthers all arrived with Purple Gatorade and Skittles in hand, some of Johnnys favourites.
Then during warmups, not only did all of the Blue Jackets players come out in Gaudreau jerseys with the 13, so did the Panthers on the other side. What was tough for me though, was the pre game ceremony where they raised a banner in honour of Johnny with family in attendance. Not a dry eye in the building as, you just feel for this family so much. The cherry on top was when his best friend Sean Monahan would not be stopped and scored a goal on the night, immediately getting up and pointing at the banner of Gaudreau. It embodied the very thing we all love about the great game of hockey perfectly! I cover it all and more in todays NHL hockey video!
#nhl #hockey #highlights #Columbusbluejackets #floridapanthers #johnnygaudreau

[@owenmcglone5275]

I Took My GF to her First Game Tonight in Columbus, Lets just say we laughed, we Cried, We Groaned, We Cheered. She fell in Love with the Game and now wants to go again

[@bryancook1235]

Seeing the panthers like Reinhart crying pregame just shows how much everyone loved Gaudreau.

[@justinsamsel1230]

Hockey fans everywhere will long remember and miss Johnny Hockey

[@nigelcanuck5943]

Probably the hardest moment to watch as the family came out for the banner raise. Loved the empty wing and 13 sec run off. I did see the post from Matthew Tkachuk as he unfortunately was laid up with illness and didn't travel with the team.

[@marshallfischer8686]

Very beautiful thing to see. As a stars fan you hated seeing him line up against your team but always wanted him to join it. It's sad to see someone go so young, but so amazing to see the tributes and celebration of his life

[@CarsonsAwesomeAdventures]

It’s the amazing that even during warm-up, Florida Panthers players were rocking Johnny Gaudreau jerseys

[@just_limerence]

Everyone had a #13, everyone had Skittles and Gatorade on the bench with them, #13 behind both goals and in the rafters to let both sides know he's always here playing hockey with us. Hockey family is the best.

[@Doorknobz]

​@@just_limerence I watched the video also

[@MakeItMemey]

Let’s have a moment of silence me miss you Jonny

[@DettriusLaRose]

Appreciate the video next keep up the good work loving all those videos

[@nextmanupNMU]

Thank you! I appreciate you watching ❤️

[@ben10nnery]

1:49 also Bennett was lined up across where Gaudreau would’ve been, and ended up with the puck too. Just like the Calgary Gaudreau Bennett Monahan trio 🥲

[@ChrisF-x6w]

Love that they're giving him the respect he deserves. Forever in our hearts, never forget

[@nassports8]

I'm routing for this team, this year to win the cup.

[@PenguinzFan]

I want to cry whenever I see this the panthers being one of my favorite teams can come together with the jackets to honor Johnny and Matthew it’s so amazing and sad 😢

[@elkku331]

❤️

[@acendagrowth]

The pre-game was absolutely heart wrenching. It's good to see the community come together around his family.

[@Taylor_Gang1]

Thanks for sharing the moment with us here. I wasn’t able to catch the game tonight, but.. next man up, gots me

[@edy21865]

Go Panthers Go! What a hard fought win! Well deserved!

[@Newyorkprods]

Good vid. You should do the Gus bus goal

[@absolutetuber]

getting robbed of life at such a young age is unbearably tragic :(

[@chelseamurray9613]

Pens fan here. Pretty much every time I think of their deaths it tears me up... It's beyond sad... 2 sons, 2 fathers, 2 brothers just stolen from this world by a drunk impatient idiot. So sad.

[@rileyholden-zc9ip]

Rest in peace Johnny and Matthew

[@just_limerence]

I was at the game and it was a very surreal experience. I think the Panthers fan(s) behind me said it best after the 2nd puck drop, "Let's play hockey like Johnny would want." We did, and we had a great game.

[@progactif]

oof that first faceoff with an empty spot, letting money send the puck to his friend.

[@StephenWernecke]

The feeling the in NWA was unexplainable. Truly something to see. 21 13 forever in our hearts 💙♥️

[@johnbrowne2170]

Beautiful.

[@hottuna2006]

Johnny will be missed and never forgotten. God bless him, his loving brother Matthew and all his family members.

[@GraceDowWrites]

Beautiful!

[@elvisisalive2716]

lol is it the 'missing man' formation?

[@TheHungryHobo]

Mad props for covering this so well.

[@spideyshiz]

Why did the jets trade Monahan 😭

[@tlgandsports]

They didn’t, he signed with them hoping to play with Johnny again

[@Mtbkidd]

It was an awesome game and great video, I subbed

[@ryanbencze]

The best part was that it was a classic Calgary goal. Gaudreau from Bennett and monahan. Just a beautiful Easter egg to the whole night.

[@Renegt527]

☝️🏒

[@Ic3h0rnEt14]

Johnny never played for my team (Caps) but I really feel this loss. Such a tragedy all because some asshole didn't call a cab.

[@jackbird8527]

Hockey is another way to spell class.

[@anson.meadows]

I love that Sean did that. I am a Devils fan but I want to see this Jackets team make a point for a life lost and a life loved (x2). 🏆

[@vhaakaraynen6578]

I think the Panthers won this game fair and respectfully. Both teams fought a hard nosed game and gave it their all. I appreciate them for not pulling punches, because Johnny never did in any of his games, which is how he scored so many goals and assisted so many more of them.

[@nopenopenope131]

Well done.

[@YaroslavAskarovFan]

Like what Dallas said in Outsiders before the big fight LETS DO IT FOR JOHNNY

[@GalenGTV]

I think the most beautiful thing I could never have imagined happened. I thought it would be cool if the game was 1-3 either team. Then I realized I was forgetting about Matty. Game score 4 +3 = 7 #13 & 21 - 1+3+2+1 =7

[@scottj467]

Even better: 1+3=4 and 2+1=3.

[@Earthquaker20]

Im not crying, you’re crying… it’s allergy season

[@notjohncena6269]

Tears all game

[@bedzyyclipz]

as a wild fan LETS GO GUST

[@nextmanupNMU]

GOOOALIE GOAL!!!

[@bedzyyclipz]

[sorry i meant to comment on nhl video lol

[@bedzyyclipz]

@@nextmanupNMU YEAA

[@bonn1771]

Love this Imagine if Sean scored the first time

[@Roy-m8w]

A lotta class last night for a great hockey player and family man. RIP Johnny and Matthew.

[@MrAndrewCreech]

Gone way too soon. RIP #13.

[@BeardedRaven]

My man! I cant be in Tim Hortons lineup ugly crying u gotta give us a tear jerk warning haha! Great video.

[@jeffreycairns767]

The only reason they do these "honors" is that they know it will attract more business. Using a tragedy to make money js disgusting, but welcome to todays leagues

[@JacobSur]

In your opinion, what is the right move here? Genuinely asking

[@jeffreycairns767]

@@JacobSur Honestly, I don't know. Maybe make these kinds of games free or something along those lines? Maybe donating any profits from these kinds of games and any money made from anything related to the brothers to something like MADD? Anything to show they actually care and take advantage of sad people that think they had a connection to either brother

[@LVkaem]

Or maybe it is a very lovely tribute to honor a great player and any business that comes from it is irrelevant. I would say finding a way to perceive a tribute like this negatively is more sad, and perhaps something you should work on.

[@jeffreycairns767]

@@LVkaem You're exactly the type of person companies feed on and take total advantage of, sadly.

[@karl7487]

How cynical can you be?

[@CALL0US.]

As a Panthers fan… ugh I hoped Florida lost 😅

[@ziprline]

There wasn't a dry eye in this house either....