Saturday, December 05, 2009

Tassone's Triumphant Return

It was a night a long time in the making.

Playing in his first home game in nearly nine months, Broncos F Matt Tassone scored twice including the game-winner and the empty-netter as the Broncos defeated Moose Jaw 3-1 at the Credit Union i-plex.

"I got a great cheer from the hometown fans to start the game and that game me an extra boost," commented Tassone in our post-game show.

Coming off double shoulder surgery in the off-season that wasn't without complications, Tassone and F Stepan Novotny turned their shifts into a virtual shooting gallery as the two played well off each-other to create scoring chances. Cody Eakin centered the line but seem to just sit back and play more defensively allowing the two new linemates to do their thing.

Tassone used his size for a couple of big hits including a lid-lifter on the Warriors Kevin Smith.

The Broncos fired 46 shots on Warriors G Jeff Bosch who played superb.

For Tassone it's not about proving he's the player who scored 36 goals in 52 games last season.

"I hear people around town and others asking if I was going to be the Matt Tassone of old, where for me there was no question in my mind. I know how I feel and I know what I'm capable of doing. I didn't have any doubts."

Linemate Novotny played his best game as a Bronco collecting an assist. He was robbed blind by Bosch midway through the third. Down and out, Bosch through out a desperation glove up in the air from his stomach to make a game-saver on the Czech forward.

Newly acquired goaltender Mark Friesen made 27 saves in a solid home ice debut. He was chosen as the third star of the night.

Friesen admitted post-game he wasn't too comfortable in the first period. He didn't see his first shot until midway through the opening frame. He settled in and played a calm, quiet game in the crease the whole way.

Cody Eakin scored his league leading 26th of the season to open the scoring when his shot rebounded off Warriors D Ryan Stanton seven minutes into the opening period.

The Warriors played the game with their two top players out. F Jason Bast missed another game with a facial injury while D Travis Hamonic was a scratch because of the flu.

The Broncos host Prince Albert tonight to conclude four games in five nights.

1 comment:

O said...

It was good to see Tasser back. You could just feel the higgher energy he brings every time he's on the ice. Makes other players raise their game.