After scoring four goals in his team's 6-0 victory on Saturday, Djurgarden Stockholm's Jeff Tambellini spoke about his own game, his linemates, and his new team.
by Jakob Meijer
STOCKHOLM – Djurgarden Stockholm have had a flying start to the new season, winning two consecutive games. A comfortable 4-0 win against the Rouen Dragons was followed up by another home victory and shutout, this time defeating HC Davos on Saturday afternoon by a score of 6-0.
One player who had a big game against the Swiss team was 32-year-old Jeff Tambellini. The Canadian winger, who scored 27 goals in 242 NHL games with the Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders and Vancouver Canucks between 2005 and 2011, stole the show completely, scoring four times – all on the power play.
“It was a big game for us, a big test,” Tambellini said after the game. “We were lucky to get two goals early on the power play, and we found a way with our penalty killing. Anytime they had a chance to push back a little bit we shoved them down, making it really hard for them to go to our net.”
When asked about his own performance in the game, he replied, “I felt good about it. When you're able to get that kind of luck, and chances close to the net and in good spots, it's always nice to have that success.”
Believe it or not, it's not the first or even second time Tambellini has found the net four times in one game. But he's not able to pin down exactly when the last time was.
“It was either in the AHL or in my years in college. I've had a couple of good four-goal nights, so it's nice to have another one. I'll build from this one, and hopefully I'll do it a couple of more times,” said a humble Tambellini, who would rather talk about his teammates.
The line of Tambellini, Matt Anderson and Daniel Brodin have had some great success in the first two CHL games, scoring six goals together.
“I think we're looking to build as a line from that success. Especially how we are playing with each other coming up the ice in the D-zone. That's the really important stuff. Usually if you're doing the details well, the scoring easily follows.”
Good communication is one thing Tambellini wants to see more of, whomever he plays with.
“It's really important as linemates to talk to each other. That's one thing I've always pushed with guys is that you make sure there's a lot of communication during the game. It's important to see what the other guys are seeing, see different parts from the defencemen or your linemates.”
Djurgarden, who have top spot in Group B with six points, are now heading to Switzerland and a new game against Davos next Friday. Having previously played in the Swiss NLA with ZSC Lions Zurich and Fribourg-Gotteron, Tambellini knows that Djurgarden didn't see the best that the Davos team has to offer on Saturday.
“Those guys are a top team, and they play even better at home. We'll play a good team Friday night, in front of their home crowd. We know it will be a great test and we'll see if we can push back again.”
And this time Tambellini, and not linemate Brodin, will wear the Cramo Top Scorer jersey.
“He looked good in it, he looked great,” Tambellini laughed. About wearing the special jersey he added, “I like my number, but yeah, it's always fun.”