COLUMBUS — Johnny Gaudreau was just a few feet away when bodies started flying to punctuate the evening.
With just a few seconds left in a 3-1 Blue Jackets’ win over Gaudreau’s former Flames club, Rasmus Andersson took the sort of run at an unsuspecting Patrik Laine that is sure to resonate.
With Laine doubled over on the ice and the official’s arm up for the elbow Andersson delivered, Columbus rearguard Erik Gudbranson charged after his former teammate to exact a little revenge.
Unable to do much more than smother the Flames defender, you can bet he took a number that’s sure to be called Jan. 25 when Gaudreau, Gudbranson and the Blue Jackets reassemble in Calgary.
“My back was kind of turned, so I didn’t really see it, but obviously Guddy saw it and didn’t like it,” said Gaudreau of the exchange that got Andersson an elbowing major and game misconduct.
“I mean, there’s two seconds left in the game.
“I feel bad for Patty, it’s a hard hit.
“There was a penalty on it so obviously it was a bad hit.
“I just think a little unnecessary.
“We play them again, so I’m sure someone will try to even it out, I don’t know.”
Pausing, slightly, the 5-foot-9 dynamo smiled, “not my department.”
The man fully capable and chiefly in charge of meting out just rewards, confirmed Gaudreau’s suspicion.
“I didn’t like it,” said the 6-foot-5, 222-pound Gudbranson, choosing not to elaborate much further, suggesting he hadn’t seen a replay.
Jackets coach Pascal Vincent saw one, and didn’t like it one bit.
“I see a hit to the head and (Andersson) lifting his feet,” he said.
“That’s illegal in my book.
“So, we’ll let the NHL deal with it.”
To be continued.
These games still matter for Gaudreau — the ones against a team he played parts of nine seasons with.
“Oh yeah, I’m still really close with a lot of guys in there,” said Gaudreau, who was held off the scoresheet despite some pretty good looks.
“They gave me a hard time on the ice, just Raz (Andersson) and Mangy (Andrew Mangiapane) a little bit.
“I’m a little bit quiet out there, so I don’t really say anything.
“It’s nice to follow it up with a win.”
For those keeping score, Gaudreau now has a 2-0-1 record against the team that drafted him, saw him zoom to stardom, and then wilted when he signed in Ohio.
On this night, Jacob Markstrom was less than accommodating, making five of his 26 saves on Gaudreau, which included a tricky kick save exactly one minute into the evening.
“He had my number tonight,” said Gaudreau, who has two helpers in four outings this year.
“Hopefully I’ll get him back when we get to Calgary.
“He played well.
“I remember the year I was there he was second in the Vezina.
“He’s a hard guy to beat — a big guy.”
Speaking of Guys, his father is jacked about the return engagement in Alberta, where Guy Gaudreau plans to follow his son through the province to meet up with old friends.
“He gives me a hard time, says all the Calgary people still love him but they just don’t love me as much,” smiled the Boston College kid they called Johnny Hockey.
“He said he thinks he’ll be fine in the stadium, talking to people. “We still have a lot of close friends out there in Calgary.”
Amongst them is the Snow family, who Gaudreau wanted to send his thoughts to.
“He was there the whole time I was there, so I got to spend a lot of time with him — it’s just terrible,” said Gaudreau of the former Flames assistant GM Chris Snow, who passed away late last month after a prolonged battle with ALS.
“When I’d go on the road sometimes I’d leave my dog with Conny (Flames GM Craig Conroy), and their kids would come over and hang out with my dog.
“I wish all the best to the family and the kids. It’s just hard.”
Johnny’s wife Meredith won’t be joining Guy for his Alberta reunion, as she is six months pregnant with their second child.
He’s really getting the hang of this family thing.
“I’m 30 now, I’m going to have hair like him soon,” he said, taking a playful shot at Sportsnet host Ryan Leslie’s unvarnished dome a few feet away.
“It’s awesome. A different perspective on life.
“I love coming home after games or road trips and seeing our daughter Noa, who is one now and she’s almost walking.
“I’m excited for the second one.”
“I’ve definitely changed, especially outside of hockey.”
Praised by Gudbranson and Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent for being a quiet leader whose ability to handle the spotlight impresses them to no end, Gaudreau is being counted on to help anchor a rebuilding team that likely has one of the next budding superstars in Adam Fantilli.
Locals froth over the idea that the former Flames playmaker could be setting things up on a tee for his fellow Hobey Baker winner for years to come.
“In the locker room I feel like I’m in more of a leadership role,” said Gaudreau.
“We always had a lot of veteran players in Calgary, so there was a lot to learn from and I could bring it to this locker room.”
One thing that hasn’t changed is that the notoriously picky eater still refuses to mix in a vegetable or two at the dinner table.
“I eat a few,” he laughed.
“My wife makes me.”
