ROCHESTER – Buffalo Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund scored one goal this season before getting injured.
“Not many guys can have an impact on a game when they’re not producing the offense,” Americans coach Mike Leone said of the center.
Meanwhile, Tyson Kozak, another versatile forward prospect, scored a team-leading five goals before going down.
“He was producing the offense,” Leone said said prior to Friday’s game against the Hartford Wolf Pack in Blue Cross Arena. “If you look at the goals he scored, five goals were right around the net. He’s doing a great job.”
Leone said both youngsters are week to week. Ostlund has an upper-body injury. Kozak has a lower-body injury. While the Amerks have been a roll, their absences will be felt.
“Those two guys, Noah and Kozy, the impact that they have … it’s hard to do,” Leone said.
Leone believes Ostlund, the 16th overall pick in 2022, possesses special talent.
“Big loss for the group,” he said. “If you look at his game and you take away the points, his 200-foot game is as good as I’ve seen as a player. He’s an excellent penalty killer, he’s smart, he’s responsible.
“He was a big part of our team, so next-man-up mentality. Guys that have been slotted in have done a really good job.”
Leone said when he wants to ignite a line, he puts Kozak on it.
“Just to give them some life and energy,” he said. “But those two guys are two guys that (are) the straw that stirs the drink for us, and big loss, those guys are gonna have to step up.”
Ostlund missed his fourth straight game Friday. Kozak missed his second consecutive contest.
Update: Amerks goalie Felix Sandstrom left Friday’s 6-3 win with an upper-body injury in the second period after Ben Harpur checked him in his crease.
Leone said the Amerks will “most likely” have to find another goalie for tonight’s road game against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Michael Houser replaced Sandstrom. Harpur received a five-minute charging penalty and a game misconduct.
Sandstrom is the only goalie in the organization with an NHL contract outside of Buffalo.