They were two young brothers who loved hockey.

And the hockey world loved them in return.

In an emotional salute across metro Detroit, hockey sticks are being propped up against houses in honor of Grosse Pointe siblings Logan and Briggs Connolly, who were killed in a house fire Monday morning. Logan was 9, Briggs 11.

Their tragic deaths devastated the close-knit community they lived in, along with their beloved and extended hockey family that their dad was also a part of. Hockey-themed hashtags honoring the boys are popping up all over social media, including "#sticksoutforloganandbriggs" and "#stickstoheaven."

More:Grosse Pointe brothers, 9 and 11, die in fire: 'It's devastating'

According to fire officials, the brothers were found in an upstairs bedroom during the three-alarm fire that started just before 8 a.m. on Fisher Road, a tree-lined street dotted with brick colonials. Neighbors tried to help, but the fire was too intense to get inside.

Both parents were on the way to work, but the boys were at home because their school had a delayed start.

On Wednesday, Stephen Poloni, public safety director for Grosse Pointe and Grosse Pointe Park, said it will take a month -- if not more -- to know for sure what started the fire. All that is known now, he said, is that the fire was an accident and that it started in the kitchen. Investigators are looking at the toaster as a possible cause of the fire.

"There was no arson," Poloni said.

Hockey community grieves

The "sticks out" tradition, which honors hockey players, triggered international attention last year following a bus crash in Canada that killed 10 players with the Humboldt Broncos hockey team and five others, including two coaches. Hockey fans worldwide put their sticks out for the victims.

Michigan's hockey family is doing the same for its own: Logan and Briggs, two vivacious fourth- and fifth-graders at Richard Elementary who are remembered for their love of the game, attending Comic Con events — even winning once — laughing with friends and playing video games.

The boys played hockey for both the Grosse Pointe and the St. Clair Shores Hockey Association, which will hold a prayer service for the Connolly family at St. Paul on the Lake at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Hockey players will be wearing their jerseys in a sign of solidarity.

In a Facebook post, the Troy Sting Mini Mites team urged players' families to put hockey sticks on their front porches for Logan and Briggs. So did the Midland Northstars and the Anchor Bay Tars. The Motor City Hockey Club also urged parents to send their kids to school Wednesday wearing their hockey jerseys. And Tuesday afternoon, the Detroit Red Wings tweeted a picture of two hockey sticks resting on the team logo in honor of the boys.

Notices were sent to some Trenton Hockey Association parents Tuesday afternoon, urging them to put out hockey sticks in honor of the Connolly brothers, whose deaths have left a community reeling.

"As many of you may know, a member of our St. Clair Shores Hockey family experienced a tremendous loss this morning due to a house fire in Grosse Pointe," the St. Clair Shores Hockey Association posted on Monday. "Please join (us) for a prayer service for the children, parents, family, friends and neighborhood as we mourn this tragic loss."

Connolly family expresses gratitude

Late Tuesday evening, the Connolly family released a statement expressing gratitude for the outpouring of love and support.

“The Connolly family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support and kindness from the community. From the basic necessities to the incredible financial donations, the family has been humbled by this community’s generosity. The family would greatly appreciate privacy at this time.”

A community memorial is being organized for Saturday at the Grosse Pointe Academy; the time is to be determined, according to the family statement.

Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com. Staff writer Kristen Jordan Shamus contributed to this report.