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Hockey fans were treated to an emotional moment during the Columbus Blue Jackets' home opener on Tuesday night.
As the Jackets took on the Florida Panthers, Sean Monahan scored a goal in the second period and immediately pointed up to the banner honoring his late friend and teammate Johnny Gaudreau.
Before the game, the Blue Jackets honored Gaudreau by raising his no. 13 jersey to the rafters.
Monahan and Gaudreau were longtime teammates with the Calgary Flames. Monahan then joined him, signing a 5-year deal in July. Tragically, Gaudreau passed away unexpectedly right before the season started.
After tying the game at 1-1, Monahan buried a rebound in front of the Florida net. He instantly pointed up towards Gaudreau's banner in a touching tribute to his late friend. Fans immediately took to social media to react.
One fan wrote:
"Couldn't script this any better,"
Another fan added:
"Johnny's watching."
Here are some fan reactions:
"“Sean Monahan scores and pays tribute like a true teammate! Nothing says ‘I got your back’ quite like a goal and a point to the banner! Talk about teamwork making the dream work!" one fan wrote on X.
"As a Panthers fan, I respect the heck out of Sean Monahan which I know this goal absolutely meant to him for his best friend in Johnny Gaudreau" another fan wrote.
"Not a bj fan but I wouldn't be mad if they go on a miraculous tear this season." a user commented.
"I hate to say but as a degenerate gambler but the day johnny died first home game goal for monahan was always an absolute lock." another user wrote.
The Blue Jackets lost their home opener 4-3 to the Panthers.
Sean Monahan and Blue Jackets lose home opener 4-3 to the Panthers
The Blue Jackets took the lead in the second period with Cole Sillinger scoring on a shorthanded breakaway just 41 seconds in. The Panthers then answered back as Sam Reinhart assisted Anton Lundell for a tying goal at 1-1.
The Blue Jackets retook the lead with 8:38 left in the second on a rebound goal by Sean Monahan. But just 37 seconds later, the Panthers tied it again when Dmitry Kulikov scored. Then, with just 1.6 seconds remaining in the period, Reinhart scored to give the Panthers a 3-2 lead heading into the third.
In the third, Eetu Luostarinen extended the Panthers' lead to 4-2 with a top-shelf goal at the 4:48 mark. The Blue Jackets made things interesting late when they pulled their goalie and James van Riemsdyk scored with 2:39 left to cut the deficit to 4-3. But Columbus could not find the equalizer and Florida held on for the win.
