Referee on a power trip calls a rookie for a penalty after he tells him the truth

Getting penalized for embellishment is never a good look on an NHL player, and after receiving one last night, Blue Jackets' rookie Adam Fantilli wants to set the record straight.

In the second period, Fantilli had a stick brush past his face, and he reacted out of reflex. According to the official, his reaction was enough to warrant a penalty for embellishment. Fantilli immediately started pleading his case, but to no avail.


Fantilli gave a solid explanation after the game. After playing college hockey with a cage for years until now, having a stick wave past your face with a visor is a shocking and uncomfortable feeling - enough to react even if the stick didn't make contact.


Apparently, Fantilli immediately admitted on-ice that the blade didn't hit him, and was just reacting almost involuntarily. The referee heard no part of that explanation however, and penalized Fantilli for the embellishment. With this knowledge being public now, perhaps referees and fans will take it easier on rookies adapting to the close plays and nuances of NHL games.