Yahoo Sports Matthew Tkachuk inspired Panthers tribute of Skittles, purple Gatorade to Johnny Gaudreau
Matthew Tkachuk couldn’t be in the building on Tuesday when his Florida Panthers visited the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Tkachuk is battling an illness that has kept him from Florida's lineup this week.
Tuesday was also the Blue Jackets home opener. The team took the opportunity to honor the memory of Johnny Gaudreau, who, along with his brother Matthew, was tragically killed by a drunk driver during the offseason while the brothers were riding their bicycles near their home in South Jersey.
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The night included the Panthers and Blue Jackets all wearing No. 13 Gaudreau jerseys during pregame warmups and Columbus raising a No. 13 to the rafters.
When the game began, the Blue Jackets took the ice with only four players, leaving the left wing spot vacant for Gaudreau. When the puck was dropped to start the game, both teams stood in place while the puck was moved from Sean Monahan to Sam Bennett, both former teammates of Gaudreau in Calgary, before being placed at left wing, where Gaudreau would’ve been standing.
That's where everyone remained while 13 seconds ticked off the clock. It stopped at the 19:47 mark, with everyone in the building clapping and cheering.
"It's a tough night," Bennett said. "What their family has gone through is unthinkable. I'm definitely looking forward to giving his parents a hug out there. It's an emotional night for the hockey world. I'm glad I could be here and honor his legacy in any way I can."
Before all of this happened, the Panthers found another way to honor Gaudreau on Tuesday, and it was an idea inspired by Tkachuk, who played six seasons with Gaudreau in Calgary.
When the Panthers arrived at Nationwide Arena, every player was carrying Skittles and purple Gatorade, Gaudreau’s longtime favorite snack and Gatorade flavor.
Speaking to the media before the game, Bennett explained that the idea came from Tkachuk.
"Johnny, he always loved Skittles and purple Gatorade, so it was just a little tribute to him on what's going to be a very emotional night," said Bennett.
It was a subtle but genuine gesture from the Panthers on an extremely difficult night.
The idea also provided Tkachuk a way to pay homage to Gaudreau in a very real, tangible way without being physically present at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday.
The Panthers flew home on Wednesday after splitting their four-game road trip with two wins and two losses.
They will be back on the ice Thursday when they host the Vancouver Canucks at Amerant Bank Arena.
Video footage of Florida's arrival to Nationwide Arena can be seen at the top of this page.
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