Buffalo Sabres: Top 3 stars of the 2022 Prospects Challenge
Another Prospects Challenge has come and gone, and there is a definite different vibe in the air after the Buffalo Sabres finished 3-0.
The Buffalo Sabres prospects knocked down 5.667 goals per game against the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, and Ottawa Senators. In each contest, the Sabres fell behind early, only to find a way to reverse their fortunes and come away with the W in each game.
Every contest saw its fair share of standouts, but the three players listed below went above and beyond normal performances in seemingly every matchup. Here are the three stars of the Buffalo Sabres 2022 Prospects Challenge.
Buffalo Sabres Top 3 Stars – Matt Savoie
Savoie didn’t see much in the way of opportunities in Game 1 against the Canadiens, but he took advantage of his chances in Games 2 and 3. While it was good to see Savoie score three times in the final two games, he also stood out in other areas in Game 1.
When not in possession of the puck, Savoie constantly found open lanes, forcing opponents into keying on him. He was also an unselfish player, creating as many scoring chances for others as he did for himself, and showed versatility position-wise, playing both center and winger.
Star #2 -Lukas Rousek
While Tyson Kozak, Aleksandr Kisakov, and Linus Weissbach scored more points, I couldn’t help but notice Lukas Rousek’s tenacity on the ice. Still a relatively inexperienced player in North America with just 29 games of AHL experience, his edge and ability to create set him apart in this one.
His performance against the New Jersey Devils further solidified his spot as the second star. He had a remarkable assist to Ethan Ritchie early in the contest, and it allowed the Sabres to tie New Jersey 1-1. Later, he created a rebound that allowed Isak Rosen to score his only goal of the Prospects Challenge. Overall, Rousek enjoyed three good outings and it earned him the second star.
Star #1 – Tyson Kozak
A seventh round pick in 2021, few foresaw how effective Kozak would become last season with the Portland Winterhawks. He supplemented that with a good development camp and an outstanding Prospects Challenge.
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Kozak scored four times and also pitched in well defensively. Having signed his entry-level contract earlier this summer, Kozak could realistically end up with a spot on the Sabres roster in the near future. Realistically, he will return to Portland for at least one more season, but it was nonetheless an inspiring display from such a late-round pick.
Article Source: Savoie, Kozak deliver multi-goal outings in Prospects Challenge finale by Connor Pohlman