Former Sabres central figures in Game 7 matchup
Two years ago, Dylan Cozens was a scoring star for Team Canada at the World Championships, with 13 points in 10 games. That served as a confidence boost for the young forward from Whitehorse, as he scored a career-high 31 goals for the Buffalo Sabres the next season.
After slumping to 18 goals this season, the Sabres are hoping that Cozens excellent outing at the 2024 IIHF World Championships is an encouraging sign for next season. With teammate Bowen Byram suspended for one game after a stick incident, Cozens served as the scoring star in Canada’s 3-2 victory over Switzerland on Monday.
Kevin Fiala is given a five minute major and game misconduct after this dangerous knee on knee hit on Dylan Cozens. pic.twitter.com/X3N9U2a8GO
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) May 19, 2024
Cozens (Canada’s scoring leader with 6 goals and 8 points) opened the scoring 1:42 into the first period on a setup from Toronto’s John Tavares. After the Swiss tied and took the lead in the second, Kevin Fiala struck the Sabres forward with a knee-on-knee hit, but Cozens responded with his second goal to tie the game.
Less than two minutes later, the Sabres forward set up Tampa’s Nick Paul for the game-winner.
DYLAN COZENS STRIKES AGAIN!
He ties it up during Switzerland's 5-minute penalty. #MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/By94XQRT6L
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 19, 2024
Without Byram, Canada relied heavily on their top pairing of Colton Parayko and Owen Power, and the young Sabres blueliner led the club in ice time at nearly 26 minutes. In Sweden’s 3-1 victory over France, Rasmus Dahlin played nearly 21 minutes and had one shot on goal, while Victor Olofsson played 12:24.
In the Stanley Cup playoffs, the second round will be completed on Monday with a Game 7 in Vancouver between the Canucks and Edmonton Oilers. The Canucks have relied heavily on big defenseman Nikita Zadorov to keep the heads of Oilers forwards on a swivel and he and former Sabre Evander Kane have been jousting most of the series.
