CNN
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If there was a dry eye in the Nationwide Arena, it was not reflected in the match broadcast.

Ahead of Tuesday night’s home opener against the Florida Panthers, the Columbus Blue Jackets hosted a ceremony to honor and remember a pair of brothers whose recent deaths have affected so many people.

It’s clear that raw emotions still prevail following the tragic deaths of Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew on August 29, when a suspected drunk driver struck and killed the siblings while they were biking the evening before their sister Kate’s wedding.

Both the Blue Jackets and Panthers participated in pregame warmups wearing Gaudreau No. 13 jerseys.

With many friends and members of the Gaudreau family in attendance, Johnny Gaudreau’s widow Meredith, along with his brother-in-law Eddie, carried Gaudreau’s children Noa and Johnny to center ice.

Meredith wiped away tears as a banner with Gaudreau’s number 13 and “1993-2024” was unveiled. Gaudreau’s parents and sisters hugged each other in the couch as the banner was raised to the rafters.

Then the fans in attendance began chanting “Johnny Hockey,” a reference to the left wing’s nickname.

When it was time to drop the puck, the Blue Jackets left Gaudreau’s position empty as players stood on both teams’ benches for the emotional moment.

The puck was tapped into Johnny’s empty spot on the ice with 13 seconds running off the clock before a referee skated in to retrieve the puck. The game was then restarted.

Earlier Tuesday evening, Meredith Gaudreau spoke to those in the arena in a pre-recorded video message.

“Hey, fifth rule. I want to thank you all for your support during this time. Your outpouring of love has helped our family immensely,” she said in the video.

“While the team is getting ready to warm up before the game, I don’t want anyone to be sad. I want you all to be inspired by the life John lived, which means loving your family first and foremost. And when it’s time to drop the puck, let’s enjoy the game John loved. Thanks and go coat.”

The wives of both brothers are pregnant.

In her eulogy at her late husband’s funeral in early September, Meredith revealed that she was in the ninth week of pregnancy with the couple’s third child.

“In less than three years of marriage, we have created a family of five. It doesn’t even sound possible. But I consider it the ultimate blessing,” she said on September 10.

“How lucky am I to be the mother of John’s three babies?”

Matthew’s wife, Madeline Gaudreau, is expecting the couple’s first child, a boy, next month.

Earlier this week, she shared photos and a video on social media from a recent baby shower for baby Tripp.

“Hug your loved ones, cherish your time on earth, be grateful, help others, stay positive, be humble, do what is right and be kind. It really makes a difference in your own life and that of others! BE A GOOD HUMAN, like Matty and Johnny,” Madeline Gaudreau posted on Instagram.

The older brother was supposed to be on the ice Tuesday night, playing in his 11th NHL season and third with the Jackets.

Instead, his number 13 was on display throughout the building, with the team handing out patches with the 31-year-old’s famous jersey number to everyone in the arena.

In another subtle tip to the late NHL All-Star, the team announced before the game that puck drop was scheduled for 7:13 PM ET – 13 minutes later than the usual top hour time.