the small town of oldman's Township New Jersey became the epicenter of grief and Remembrance on Saturday as hockey fans from across the country gathered to honor the lives of NHL star Johnny godo and his younger brother Matthew the brothers were tragically killed in a car accident on Thursday evening a day before they were set to stand as groomsmen in their sister's wedding at the intersection of County Route 551 where the brothers were struck while cycling a makeshift Memorial was erected by fans and members of the local community the site quickly transformed into a poyant tribute to the godo brothers who had both made significant contributions to the hockey world a cross crafted from old hockey sticks and inscribed with the brothers names and player numbers was placed firmly into the ground symbolizing their enduring Legacy surrounding the cross were dozens of flowers balloons and messages of condolence hockey sticks a symbol of the brother's passion and talent were carefully arranged on the grass a sign reading forever in our hearts captured the sentiment of those who visited the memorial expressing the Deep sense of loss felt by the entire hockey Community among the tributes were two bottles of Gade a touching nod to Johnny good Ro's tradition of sharing the sports drink with his teammates after scoring a goal during his time with the Calgary Flames this simple yet meaningful gesture highlighted the personal connections that Johnny had forged throughout his career and the impact he had on those around him as the community mourned many couldn't help but reflect on the preventable nature of the tragedy the driver involved in the accident Cen Higgins had reportedly consumed five to six beers before getting behind the wheel according to Witnesses Higgins attempted to pass an SUV on the right striking the godo brothers from behind as they cycled along the Rural Road the stretch of County Route 50051 where the accident occurred is known for its lack of shoulders in street lights making it particularly dangerous at night the SUV ahead of Higgins had moved to the middle of the roadway to give the brothers ample space but higgins's Reckless decision to pass on the right led to the Fatal Collision visitors to the memorial voiced their frustration and sorrow questioning why Higgins by US Army Major chose to drive under the influence instead of taking the safer option like a Yuber what makes this so sad is that it could have been preventable said one grieving visitor who declined to share their name this sentiment echoed throughout the Gathering as mourners grappled with the senselessness of the loss the timing of the tragedy only compounded the Heartbreak the godo brothers were in New Jersey to participate in their sister Katie's wedding which was scheduled to take place the day after the accident the family had just celebrated the wedding rehearsal hours before the incident unaware that their joyous occasion would soon be overshadowed by unimaginable grief Johnny godo a beloved player for the Columbus Blue Jackets leaves behind a wife and two young daughters his death has sent shock waves through the hockey Community with tributes pouring in from fans teammates and fellow athletes the loss of both Johnny and matth you has left a void that will be felt for years to come not only by their family but by everyone who knew them the memorial in oldman's Township serves as a reminder of the impact that Johnny and Matthew godo had on the world around them their love for hockey their dedication to their family and their vibrant personalities will not be forgotten as the community continues to grieve the memorial stands as a testament to the brother's enduring Legacy one that will live on in the hearts of those who love them in the words of one fan who visited the site they may be gone but they will never be forgotten