COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Blue Jackets hockey returned after a two-week break as fans saw a dominant win and played part in a touching moment for the Gaudreau family.
Columbus came back from its break with a vengeance as they blew past the Chicago Blackhawks 5-1 at Nationwide Arena on Saturday night. Defenseman Zach Werenski, fresh off leading the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament with six points, scored a goal and had two assists in the victory. This extends Werenski’s home points streak to 22 straight games.
Kent Johnson scored two goals as well to end the Blue Jackets’ four-game losing streak. They will next host the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night.
Despite the goals and exciting win, the most memorable moment came from the fans during a first period break. All of Nationwide Arena joined in unison to sing happy birthday to Johnny Gaudreau’s son, Johnny Jr., who turned one on Saturday. You can watch the video in the player above.
Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed by an alleged drunk driver late last August while the brothers were riding bicycles in New Jersey. The suspect, Sean Higgins, was indicted and charged in their deaths with his attorneys recently filing a motion stating Higgins received an unfair plea offer.
The brothers were in New Jersey for the wedding of their sister, Katie and were buried on Sept. 9 in Philadelphia, where Johnny’s wife, Meredith, revealed she was pregnant with the couple’s third child. Matthew’s wife, Madeline, also was pregnant when he was killed and has since given birth to a boy, Tripp.