What we learned from the Blue Jackets victory over Detroit at Ohio Stadium
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- It was a night Columbus won't soon forget. The first ever outdoor NHL game at Ohio Stadium. The tributes to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. The 94,751 fans that helped rewrite the record books.
Oh and the game was an instant classic too. The Blue Jackets scored two late goals in the third period after the Red Wings tied the game with 3:24 to go.
"Definitely knew this day was going to be special but I was still blown away," Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner said.
Here's what we learned from the Blue Jackets win over Detroit at the Horseshoe.
Justin Danforth provides the heroics
Columbus entered the final period with a two-goal lead, only to see that advantage slip away when Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat found the back of the net in the third. But with the game on track to go to overtime, center forward Justin Danforth delivered his sixth goal of the season. And it was arguably the biggest of his Blue Jackets career so far.
"It's up there for sure. Just the amount of emotion that went into it after that goal, it's pretty special," Danforth said. "I didn't know what to do except to scream pretty much."
Adam Fantilli capped off the night with an empty net goal to seal the 5-3 victory in a game that had its share of twists and turns. After a scoreless first period, the goals came pouring in during the middle third, including two scores within seconds of each other by the Blue Jackets. And the result provided an additional lift to a club that's looking to make the postseason, holding the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
"Just a great effort from our team, they brought their best tonight and we found a way to win," Danforth said.
An atmosphere unlike any other
Saturday's historic contest at the Horseshoe was the second most attended NHL game in history, only behind the Detroit-Toronto Maple Leafs game held at Michigan Stadium in 2014.
The day began with a pep rally at St. John's Arena, where the Ohio State athletic band warmed up the crowd before O.A.R., whose members graduated from Ohio State, played "This Town" as the Blue Jackets arrived. Similar to what the Buckeyes football team does on game days, the Jackets made the walk from St. John's to Ohio Stadium, with fans cheering the whole way.
It was the first time goalie Elvis Merzlikins was part of a pep rally.
"I never had this experience, it was awesome," Merzlikins said. "Usually when I come to the rink, I'm focused. Here, I wanted to enjoy every single moment."
Another Columbus product, Twenty One Pilots, entertained the crowd, with the help of flames and pyrotechnics, during the first intermission, adding another central Ohio flavor to the night.
"I knew Columbus was going to show up and they did," Jenner said. "What an atmosphere. What an experience for us."
Winning for Johnny
Saturday was an opportunity to tell the story of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau to a wider audience. While the NHL and the Blue Jackets have been paying tribute to the fallen hockey players all season long, it may have been the first time many watching on television would learn what the two meant to the organization.
From the Gaudreau family walking the team out to the rink before the game to the "Johnny Hockey!" chants from the crowd and a standing ovation for the brothers' mom, Jane, there were tributes throughout the evening that provided a special atmosphere. The Red Wings wore Gaudreau jerseys as they arrived at the stadium while the Jackets wore outfits that their former teammate used to wear to the rink, from Avalon Surf Shop hoodies to black Uggs boots.
"All the stuff with Johnny made it extra special obviously," coach Dean Evason said. "I'm glad we were able to talk to the group about taking it in and enjoying the experience. It's nice to get the two points, obviously that's extremely important. But the most important thing was the presence of Johnny and his family here tonight."