NHL Highlights: Devils 5, Red Wings 4
Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal and tallied an assist while Nico Hischier netted his 14th of the season as part of his two-point contest to help the New Jersey Devils defeat the Detroit Red Wings 5-4.
COLUMBUS – Rasmus Andersson knew it was going to be a tough day, returning to Columbus for the first time since Johnny Gaudreau’s death.
But nothing was able to prepare him for how overwhelmed he’d end up feeling as he tried focussing on an afternoon at Nationwide Arena he’ll never forget.
“It was probably the toughest game, mentally, I’ve played in my life,” said the Flames defenceman of emotion that had nothing to do with a 5-2 loss.
“You’re trying out there, right? And that’s all I had today. I was trying to do my best.”
Everywhere he looked there were reminders of his fallen friend.
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The front of Nationwide Arena features a massive mural of Johnny Hockey, No. 13 jerseys from Calgary and Columbus dotted the stands, the hosts wore a Gaudreau number patch on their chest, Dustin Wolf has a tribute on the back of his mask, Sean Monahan had JG stickers on his stick and even Andersson skated out with his pal’s name stitched into his left skate.
Even if you tried not to look up at the banner with Gaudreau’s name and number in the rafters, you couldn’t possibly avoid it during the anthems, as it flanks the Canadian and American flags.
“I kind of walked out early to see it beforehand, and it hits you in a different spot, that’s for sure,” said Andersson, one of a handful of Gaudreau’s Calgary teammates who had braced for the heartache of being back in No. 13’s old barn.
“There are a few of us in here who had a tough day. You see it everywhere. It was a tough game emotionally.”
Andersson had spent a good chunk of Thursday at Johnny’s home, where Gaudreau’s pregnant wife Meredith was surrounded by family members, neighbour Sean Monahan and several others as part of a Thanksgiving gathering Johnny would have revelled in.
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There were tears, there were smiles, there were hugs and there were stories shared by the group as Gaudreau’s young children played around the Christmas tree.
A wonderful distraction before a game that has long weighed heavy in the minds of longtime Flames.
“It’s one of those things you say you’re going to not let it get to you, but it’s just inevitable,” said Blake Coleman, a former teammate and longtime friend of Gaudreau’s, who scored once in a game the listless Flames trailed 3-0 halfway through.
“It’s human emotion to feel, and to look up and see (the banner). It’s no excuse for the game, but I will say that life comes before hockey, and we will always think of and honour Johnny.”
On the ice, an easy win for the host Blue Jackets included a trio of fights stemming from big hits.
Martin Pospisil stepped up twice to defend teammates before Ryan Lomberg invited hulking Mathieu Olivier to a scrap that left Ryan Lomberg in need of five stitches above his left eye.
Teammates praised Lomberg for his courage, but were left discouraged it didn’t prompt a bigger response in the team’s sixth-straight road loss.
Emotions ran high on the concourse too, as an endless string of fans stopped throughout the game at a display featuring Gaudreau jerseys, a replica of the banner, his locker stall and items left by fans outside the rink for days and weeks following the Aug. 29 incident that took his life. Exactly three months earlier Johnny and brother Mathew were killed while bicycling on a rural road in New Jersey by an alleged drunk driver.
Many waited patiently to take pictures of the tribute, others simply stopped to take it all in.
One gentleman gently removed his ball cap out of respect.
Columbus resident Rita Johnston wiped a tear from her eye and sought the comfort of her young daughter’s hand as they stared for several minutes at the scene.
“I didn’t think this would hit as hard as this,” said Johnston, wearing a Gaudreau Blue Jackets jersey.
“We were here for the candlelight vigil, but this is our first game since we lost our Johnny. We thought enough time would pass by the time they played Calgary.”
Pausing to collect herself, she added, “…but apparently not.”
Monahan had echoed a similar sentiment a day earlier when he said, “I still haven’t gotten over it, I don’t think I ever will.”
Conducting all of his interviews in front of the Gaudreau stall that sits next to his, Monahan says he’s drawn endless support from Meredith and attributes his great start to a desire to play in honour of his pal and the entire Gaudreau family.
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The Blue Jackets continue to have Gaudreau pictures and memories around the arena, with the players speaking of him almost daily in the present tense.
Their Donkey Hat for player of the game is handed out in honour of one of Gaudreau’s favourite words, and jerseys of his continue to sell.
There was no need for any official recognition of Gaudreau as part of Friday’s game day presentation, as every day here includes him in spirit.
It’s different for the Flames, who can expect a much louder salute at the Saddledome Tuesday when Gaudreau’s parents, sisters, wife, kids, sister-in-law and extended family will be on hand for a video tribute and love-in from fans that will stir the soul much like opening night did in Ohio.
The players on both sides will wear Gaudreau jerseys in warmup that will be auctioned off for MADD Canada and KidSport Calgary, and everyone on hand will get a chance to wrap their arms around a family that has been feeling the love from 3800 km away.
“Johnny is the reason me and my kids watch hockey,” said Roland Tisdale as he stared down at a well-worn hat in the concourse display with the inscription, “Thank you for choosing Columbus.”
“He made us care about the games. He was so quick, so dynamic you couldn’t help but be drawn to him. His greatness is something I’ll never forget.”
The hockey world feels much the same way.
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