Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew are remembered at a candlelight vigil in Columbus

COLON — In a building and for a franchise known for its post-goal gunfire, the 13 minutes and 21 seconds of silence outside Nationwide Arena on Wednesday night were startling.

Those numbers represent the 13 worn by Johnny Gaudreau throughout his career, which included nine seasons with the Calgary Flames before playing the final two seasons for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the 21 worn by his brother, Matthew, when he and Johnny were teammates at Boston College.

They were remembered at an emotional candlelight vigil after Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, died Thursday when they were struck by a car while riding their bikes near their home in Salem County, New Jersey.

Fans packed the eastern square, where a shrine to the Gaudreaus has been erected since early Friday morning. Half an hour before the vigil, the area was almost full, but you couldn’t tell if you closed your eyes.

A place where fans congregate boisterously as they wait to enter the stadium for Blue Jackets games was eerily quiet except for the whispers and sobs of fans trying to hold back their tears.

“You guys not only support us through the tough times and hockey seasons, but also when it matters the most,” defenseman Erik Gudbranson said. “Our hearts are shattered into a million pieces. There’s no doubt about it. John was an incredible teammate, an incredible friend.”

Gudbranson, captain Boone Jenner, forward Cole Sillinger and general manager Don Waddell spoke during the 35-minute ceremony, which ended just after sunset.

“Obviously, this is a very difficult time for all of us, including each and every one of you (the fans),” Waddell said. “We have a special group of people in this organization, a special group of players, and together with you, we will get through this together.”