Fantilli and Merzlikins Lead Blue Jackets to Victory Over Maple Leafs

Toronto: The Blue Jackets had a fantastic night, beating the Maple Leafs 5-1. Adam Fantilli scored his first career hat trick, which is pretty awesome. Elvis Merzlikins was solid in goal, making 29 saves to keep the Leafs at bay.

Luca Del Bel Belluz also contributed with a goal and an assist. The Jackets have been on a roll lately, getting points in eight of their last nine games. This win even pushed them into a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Auston Matthews managed to score for Toronto, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome. The Leafs had a three-game winning streak going, but that came to an end with this loss.

Fantilli, who hails from Nobleton, had a lot of family and friends cheering him on at the game. He really turned it up in the second period, scoring his second goal and putting Columbus ahead 3-0. Del Bel Belluz sealed the deal in the third period, making it 4-0 before Fantilli finished off his hat trick into an empty net.

There were a couple of injury concerns for the Leafs, with Matthew Knies leaving the game after a tough hit. Merzlikins had a bit of a scare during the morning skate but was ready to go for the game.

Next up, the Blue Jackets will face the Carolina Hurricanes, while the Leafs will take a break before heading to Ottawa to take on the Senators. What a night for Columbus!