TORONTO — Adam Fantilli joked he was paying to play Wednesday, and it was clear why - with a convey of supporters heading south to Scotiabank Arena from nearby Nobleton, Ont., the Blue Jackets forward was playing in front of a slew of friends and family.
And play he did, netting a hat trick to lead his team to a thrilling victory. The hometown crowd was electric, cheering on Fantilli with every goal, and the young forward did not disappoint.
Fantilli's first goal came midway through the first period, when he tucked a rebound past the opposing goalie. The crowd erupted, with many of his friends and family in attendance donning Blue Jackets jerseys with his name and number on the back.
The second goal was a beauty, with Fantilli sniping a shot from the top of the circle that beat the goalie high glove side. This time, the crowd was even more raucous, with chants of 'Fantilli, Fantilli' ringing out across the arena.
But Fantilli was not done yet. In the third period, with the game still within reach for the opposing team, he completed his hat trick with a slick backhand deke that left the goalie grasping at air. The crowd went wild, with many of his supporters hugging each other and cheering in delight.
After the game, Fantilli was beaming with pride, happy to have been able to put on a show for his friends and family. 'It was amazing to have so many people here supporting me,' he said in a post-game interview. 'I'm just glad I could give them something to cheer about.'
The win was a big one for the Blue Jackets, who are fighting for a playoff spot in the competitive league. And with Fantilli leading the charge, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming weeks.