Team Italy goaltender Jason Muzzatti is a former No. 1 pick of the Calgary Flames, and has spent time in Hartford, New York, and Toronto in the NHL.

Muzzatti, Tuzzolino get
reacquainted with old friends
By Rich Libero | NHL.com
Feb. 15, 2006

TORINO, Italy -- As players go up in skill, so does the speed. Italian national team goaltender Jason Muzzatti compared his team to that of Canada's in auto racing terms: "It's like F1 (Forumula One) against bumper cars. It's serious speed out there."

Canada cranked it up on the Italians after a sleepy first period and went on to a 7-2 victory. The game was special for the North American-born players on Italy's roster, including Muzzatti and Tony Tuzzolino.

"We are arguably the least talented team here," Tuzzolini said. "The only thing we could control is our work ethic."

And work they did.

For Muzzatti, a former No. 1 pick of the Calgary Flames and Tuzzolino, a former New York Ranger and Boston Bruin, facing off against Canada's best offered an opportunity to re-kindle old friendships and rivalries. The two Michigan State alums represented their new country quite well as Italy put up a brave effort against the defending gold medalists.

"I was pretty tired. It's hot out there and there was a lot of pressure," Muzzatti said.

Canada out-shot Italy 50-20, putting maximum pressure on Muzzatti, who had to re-acquaint himself with the North American style of game.

"Guys take a little more time (in Italy). It's a wide ice surface and guys like to be pretty, I can cheat on angles and stuff, but now it's back to bang-bang," Muzzatti said.

But at the start of the game Muzzatti looked down the other end of the ice and saw Martin Brodeur, the man many call the best the world at the moment.

"I got my only shutout against Marty with the (Hartford) Whalers and I was hoping for the same thing," Muzzatti said.

Brodeur was unaware of that fact prior to the game. "I was trying to look where the guys were from because I only knew the goalie because I had played against him in the AHL," Brodeur said.

Despite a valiant effort from his defense, where they blocked shots and managed to stay disciplined, the Italians got caught on a bad change that gave Canada a chance to move ahead 2-1. The Canadian power play also hurt.

Even though he surrendered seven goals, Muzzatti loved every minute of it. "On one hand you're eager to get to the result, but on the other hand you don't want the game to end."

These Olympics are incredibly special for Muzzatti and Tuzzolino. They are comfortable in where they are in their hockey careers and they have seized upon an opportunity to perform on a massive stage against the best the world has to offer.

"Most of (my teammates) haven't seen these guys and it's a big shock factor," Tuzzolino said. "All the best players in the world are here and if you're looking to measure yourself against the best, there's no better place."

Both Muzzatti and Tuzzolino took different tracks, but ended up in the same place.

Muzzatti preceded Tuzzolino at Michigan State, minding their nets from 1987-91. He won 32 games in his sophomore season after being taken 21st overall by Calgary in the '88 Draft and was once considered a prime goaltending prospect. But a congenital heart problem led to multiple surgeries and stalled his career.

Team Italy forward Tony Tuzzolino (right) has spent time in the NHL with the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins.

Looking back, Muzzatti isn't disappointed with his career. He played 62 games with Calgary, Hartford, San Jose and the Rangers, but after undergoing heart surgery in 1998, he jumped at an opportunity to play in Berlin.

"I tried to comeback and it didn't work out," Muzzatti said. So he headed to Italy. His parents were born in Bordenone, located in the northeast. He has a number of family members still living in Italy and all of them are enjoying this moment with him.

Tuzzolino made a sacrifice to play for the Italian national team. He was bouncing between the minors and the NHL when he was asked to come spend two years in Italy.

"I spent six years in the American League, going up and down and they gave me a call to play," Tuzzolino said. "I had to spend two years playing in Italy to be eligible (for the Olympics)."

Tuzzolino, still in the prime of his career, spent those two years in a league that's considered beneath some of the others in Europe. Currently he's playing for Modo in the Swedish Elite League, which he said is more on par with the AHL.

Asked if he considered this an opportunity to showcase his skills or look back on his career, Tuzzolino said he has no regrets.

"I treat it like an experience," Tuzzolino said. "Everyday I get to play hockey I feel lucky."

While Tuzzolino's grandparents are Italian, he doesn't have any family with him to share the experience. His wife is back in Sweden with their three-month-old daughter.

"I have my video camera and everywhere I walk I turn it on so other people can experience this," he said.

Even without the camcorder, yesterday's match is one that will long be remembered by both players.