Kozak’s goal, scrap help power Amerks past Utica

By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA

He entered the season with far less fanfare than the high-round draft picks like Jiri Kulich, Isak Rosen, Aleksandr Kisakov and Filip Cederqvist.

Then again, Tyson Kozak wasn’t selected until the seventh and final round in 2021, going to the Buffalo Sabres with the 193^rd overall selection. How could there be fanfare?

But the 20-year-old center is proving that the rookie class with the Rochester Americans runs deeper than the big names.

While Kulich, Rosen and Kisakov can create the offensive razzle-dazzle, Kozak prides himself on a defense-first approach, with a healthy dose of toughness mixed in. And even a little offense now and then.

Kozak’s goal with 21 seconds remaining in the first period tied the score 2-2 and his second-period TKO of Tice Thompson provided energy on the bench and among the 6,811 fans in Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial as the Amerks defeated the Utica Comets 4-2 on Saturday evening.

“He’s a menace,” Amerks coach Seth Appert said.

Kozak’s willingness to defend, and his ability to defend, is impressive considering he didn’t turn 20 until Dec. 29. But he said the defense-first approach has always been his game. He uses his speed to deny space to the opposition, uses his smarts to anticipate plays, and can win big faceoffs.

“I’m just a big believer in defending hard in our end and chances will come at the other end, that’s what I’ve been told all through my years in hockey,” he said.

His determination to be the best he can be at the not-so-glamorous part of the game is what has endeared him to the coaching staff.

“He’s mean, he’s physical, he’s fast, he’s great defensively as a 19-year-old center in the second-best league in the world,” Appert said “He’s out there 5-on-6, he’s out there for big penalty kills. That’s just so rare at center for that age.

“And as much accolades and Rosen and Kulich are getting for their offensive play and for how good they’re playing because they’re growing their games, Kozak is doing a great job with defensive responsibilities. I trust him implicitly in all of those defensive situations, and his offense continues to grow.”

His goal, his fifth of the season, was huge, tying the score just before the first intermission just 20 seconds after the Comets had taken a 2-1 lead.

Peter Tischke’s point shot was deflected in the deep slot by Brendan Warren, then clanked off both posts before kicking out toward the left circle.

Kozak just happened to be right there and, while mostly facing away from the net, swatted the puck in with a backhander.

“I was in the right place at the right time,” he said.

Sean Malone gave the Amerks the lead at 7:39 of the second period, shoveling home a backhander during a five-on-three man advantage.

Then later in the period, Kozak showed off the toughness part of his game after hounding Tice Thompson on the backcheck. Frustrated, Thompson knocked Kozak down in front of the Utica bench and challenged him to a fight.

Kozak obliged – and then fed the Comets winger about a half-dozen punches.

“That definitely wasn’t my first option,” Kozak said. “But I got up and he was looking at me and asked me if I wanted to go and I didn’t hesitate.”

Which is the response Appert expected.

“He tracked Thompson so hard and that showed his skating ability because Thompson can fly,” Appert said.” And he tracked him, he got in front of him, he cut his hands off pretty hard, got into him, and didn’t allow Thompson to even get the red line and then Thompson is frustrated and challenges him.

“And then Kozie showed he knows how to handle himself once that happened.”

The Amerks and goalie Malcolm Subban then protected the lead until Kisakov’s breakaway goal with 3:54 remaining provided clinching insurance.

He created the breakaway himself, blocking a shot in the Amerks zone before quickly getting back to both skates and racing away to score.

“That was an incredible blocked shot,” Malone said. “He went down on a knee and ate that shot in the chest, and then showed off his speed and skill to bury it.”

In defeating the Comets for a second straight night – and winning for the fifth time in six games – the Amerks maintained pace with Syracuse. With six games remaining, they’re tied for second in the North Division at 74 points, while Utica fell to fourth at 72.