Fans of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Chicago Blackhawks got a touching surprise with their game tickets Saturday night at Nationwide Arena.
During a stoppage midway through the first period, fans were told about Johnny Gaudreau Jr. celebrating his first birthday. The arena’s video board then cut to a shot of him and his mom, Meredith, watching the game in the building along with other family members.
Fans were asked to sing happy birthday to Johnny Jr., and the entire arena happily obliged for the youngest of Johnny Gaudreau’s two children. It has been almost six months since Johnny Gaudreau was killed along with his brother, Matthew, while riding bicycles near their home in Salem County, New Jersey.
The stoppage began with an acknowledgment of Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski’s performance as the tournament scoring leader with six points on six assists for the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, which concluded Thursday with Canada topping the USA in overtime in the championship game at Boston’s TD Garden.
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Gaudreau’s No. 13 jersey was displayed inside the U.S. locker room for the entire tournament, was awarded to the team’s player of the game after wins and was worn by honorary captain Mike Eruzione before the championship game. A ‘Johnny Hockey!’ chant also rang throughout the arena during the championship game, courtesy of U.S. fans looking to give the hosts a boost.
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