Donato wears tie that belonged to late friend Cave, leads Kraken to win

Seattle Kraken forward Ryan Donato wore a symbol of his old friend, Colby Cave, right there over his heart on Monday.

Donato was close friends with Cave, the pair having broken into the NHL together with the Boston Bruins during the 2017-2018 season. Cave, who played three NHL seasons for the Bruins and Edmonton Oilers, died in April 2020 after he had surgery to remove a colloid cyst that was causing pressure on his brain. He was just 25 years old.
On Monday, Cave's widow, Emily, attended the Kraken game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Seattle. Earlier this season, when the Kraken visited Edmonton, Emily gave Donato one of Colby Cave's game day ties to bring him "luck and safety" this season, according to Donato's girlfriend, Bradley Fusco, on Instagram.

Donato decided to wear that tie on Monday, and with Emily Cave and Fusco together in the stands watching, he scored the tying goal in the third period and the first goal of the shootout to lead the Kraken to a 3-2 win.
Kraken TV analyst and former NHL forward JT Brown told the story on the air after Donato's shootout goal.

Donato was named the game's First Star.
Emily Cave couldn't help but feel emotional about the entire night's circumstances, sharing her feelings on Instagram.
"I gifted Ryan one of Colb's game worn ties. Today, he is wearing it. Not only did he get a goal but he was first star. The tears were flowing. I love you, Ry. Colb would be so proud," she posted to her Instagram stories.
Later, Emily

from Climate Pledge Arena, convinced Colby would have been teammates with Donato again.

"Talking with many people, it's very clear that Colb would have played for the Seattle Kraken. Ryan wearing one of his game worn ties tonight that I gifted him, then scoring a goal, and winning first star with me in the stands was extremely emotional. There are no words to describe how close the NHL family is and how thankful I am for them. Thank you for continuing to honour my husband, keeping me alive, and being so incredible. I love y'all."

Donato, after the game, couldn't discount the presence of his old pal.
"Yeah. I was wearing Colb's tie," Donato said. "He was a close friend of mine. And Emily was here tonight.
"I think he was here with me today too as well."