An Emotional, Successful Weekend: Blue Jackets Honor Gaudreau's, Get Big Win On And Off The Ice In Monumental Weekend For Columbus Hockey

By Ed Francis on March 2, 2025 at 2:45 pm
Saturday's game at The Shoe was both emotional and successful, as the Blue Jackets paid perfect tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau while also picking up a huge win on the ice.
Ed Francis
1 Comment

For the 94,751 in attendance at Ohio Stadium on Saturday night, it was a night they won't soon forget.

The second-largest crowd in NHL history saw the Columbus Blue Jackets defeat the Detroit Red Wings 5-3 in Columbus' first-ever outdoor game, with Justin Danforth scoring the game-winner at the 17:43 mark of the third period before Adam Fantilli would seal the deal with an empty-netter just over a minute later.

The win, on the ice, was meaningful: an important two points in the standings that gave the Blue Jackets a lead in the Eastern Conference wild card race. It was also against a team Columbus is in firm competition with for those wild card spots (though it's worth noting that the Blue Jackets are now just four points behind the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils for second place in the Metro division). 

But off the ice, the win meant even more.

The primary reason for that: the perfect way in which the Blue Jackets used the weekend to honor the legacy of the late Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, who were killed by an alleged drunk driver in August.

"This experience was incredible. Not just the win, obviously that's fantastic," said head coach Dean Evason.

He then got choked up.

"All this stuff with Johnny made it even extra special. The stadium, the Pep Rally, the walk in... there was a lot of emotion here."

Among the ways that made it "extra special" was how the Blue Jackets entered the stadium. They were led by Gaudreau's wife Meredith, their kids Johnny and Noa, and Johnny's mom Jane. Next to them were Sean Monahan and Erik Gudbranson, two close friends of Johnny who were unable to play in the game as they both continue to work their way back from injuries.

"The most important thing was the presence of Johnny and his family here tonight," said Evason.

But honoring the Gaudreau's started even before than that, most notably with how the Blue Jackets entered the stadium. Special outfits for team's arrivals for an outdoor game are nothing new, but Columbus opted for Avalon Surf Shop hoodies, matching black sweatpants, Ugg boots, and Amiri hats. 

All signature items of Gaudreau.

“It just reminds us of him," said captain Boone Jenner. "There’s so many days we’ve seen him come to the rink like that, and we have some pictures that he’s pretty much wearing the same thing."

"We wanted to honor him the best way that we could," said Jenner.

It wasn't just the Blue Jackets that honored Gaudreau as they made their way into the stadium. When the Red Wings stepped off their bus, they were adorned in various sweaters worn throughout the career of Johnny and Matthew. 

Once the game was underway, a video tribute to the Gaudreau's played late in the opening period. The crowd of nearly 95,000 saw Jane in a Gaudreau jersey, tearing up. A “Johnny Hockey!” chant broke out, only adding to the tears.

In the second period, a Gaudreau jersey banner was passed section-to-section in the lower stands in another impactful moment.

Back on the ice, the Blue Jackets were in a battle. After Dmitri Voronkov and Mathieu Olivier scored goals 32 seconds apart late in the second to give the Blue Jackets a 3-1 lead heading into the third, the Red Wings fought back and tied the game at 3-3 with just 3:24 left in regulation.

Just over one minute later, Justin Danforth had what he called "the highlight of (his) career" when he worked his way to a loose puck through two Detroit defenders and beat Detroit goalie Cam Talbot on a second-effort shot to put the Blue Jackets in front with 2:17 left in the game.

The cannon fired, the crowd erupted, and the Blue Jackets got a lead they would not relinquish.

Danforth was wearing the "donkey cap" after the game, which is given out by who the players choose as the player of the game. The donkey cap is another tribute to Gaudreau, who lovingly would refer to friends and teammate as "donkeys". 

"I know he's laughing up there and calling me a donkey," said Danforth. "He's a big part of our group; it felt really special for us to get a win for him and his family."

But for all the goals scored, perhaps the best player on the ice was Columbus goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, whose 43 saves were the second-most in an NHL outdoor game and just two away from the all-time record.

"This night was definitely my favorite night so far," said Merzlikins, who was named the First Star of the game.

Merzlikins was happy for the win, but knew who helped play a hand in the victory.

"Johnny was here with us," said Merzlikins. "He helped us to win this game."

It was a win off the ice, too.

The hockey world had its eyes on Columbus, and the night was a cannon-booming success. From fans tailgating early in the morning despite sub-freezing temperatures and a blustery wind, to the full Pep Rally at St. John Arena, Blue Jackets nation showed up early and stayed throughout for the monumental day.

It was further proof to those remaining few that needed it that, yes, Columbus is a hockey city.

Give an assist on the win to The Ohio State University, who worked with the Blue Jackets to make everything about the experience was a well-done tie-in between the two groups.

There was a military flyover after the National Anthem, and Ohio State president Ted Carter led the ceremonial puck-drop. Next to him, Ohio State football players Jayden Fielding and Sonny Styles were with the Buckeyes' recent national championship trophy.

Brutus Buckeye was everywhere throughout the stadium with a hockey stick in hand. The Ohio State Athletic Band performed "Script Ohio" on the ice, just as they would on the gridiron before a Buckeye football game.

When Columbus scored each of their five goals, it was the Ohio State band who played Locksley's "The Whip", the Blue Jackets goal song for well over a decade. After that, a large "cannon sticker" was added to the field, akin to the helmet stickers placed on Ohio State helmets. 

It was the perfect blend between the two most-followed sports teams in Columbus.

And it was part of a perfect weekend for Columbus hockey.

1 Comment

CBJ 5, DET 3: Merzlikins Makes 43 Saves, Justin Danforth Scores Game-Winner In Blue Jackets' Stadium Series Win Over Detroit

Justin Danforth scored the game-winning goal with just over two minutes left and Elvis Merzlikins made 43 in Columbus' 5-3 Stadium Series victory over Detroit.

Three Things: Oh, Danny Boy, Elvis Makes History, JVR Ties Outdoor Mark

The Columbus Blue Jackets pose for a team photo after the game against the Detroit Red Wings at Ohio Stadium.
View 1 Comments