Buffalo Sabres Rookie Sees First NHL Goal Get Called Back For Goalie Interference

Buffalo Sabres rookie Tyson Kozak scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game on Thursday – until he didn't.

The 21-year-old Kozak made his NHL debut against the Winnipeg Jets at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.

The center from Souris, Man., was called up on Nov. 29 to join the Sabres for their game against the New York Islanders. He didn't play in that game or in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, but coach Lindy Ruff slotted him in on the fourth line with Beck Malenstyn and Nicolas Aube-Kubel on Thursday with his family in attendance.

With less than three minutes to go in the second period, the Winnipeg Jets had a delayed penalty against defenseman Neal Pionk for interference. The Sabres put the puck toward the net, which deflected off Pionk's skate and back toward the middle of the low slot.

Kozak saw the loose puck and shot it into the back of the net with Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck not getting over to the right side of his crease.

Kozak and his family celebrated what appeared to be a huge career moment for the seventh-round draft pick in 2021. That was when Winnipeg Jets coach Scott Arniel challenged the play for goaltender interference.

Upon review, with his family waiting anxiously, Malenstyn's skate made contact with Hellebuyck's right pad.

"Video review determined Buffalo’s Beck Malenstyn impaired Connor Hellebuyck’s ability to play his position in the crease prior to the puck entering the net," was the NHL Situation Room's explanation, referring to Rule 69.3 on goaltender interference.

Kozak had a wry smile after the call, and his family reacted as the chorus of boos from Sabres fans began.

Kozak had five goals and six points in 14 games for the AHL's Rochester Americans this season before his call-up, already halfway to his 12 points in 41 games last year.

Before his AHL debut in 2022-23, he played parts of four seasons for the WHL's Portland Winterhawks, making the U.S. Division's second all-star team in 2021-22. The 5-foot-11, 172-pound prospect had 32 goals and 69 points in 66 games that year as captain.

The Sabres lost 3-2 to the Jets in overtime.

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