After Three-Game Absence, Byron Bitz Finds Stride
A groin injury sidelined big Byron Bitz for three straight games, so when Bitzy-Cat returned to the Garden ice on Saturday night against Buffalo, he made sure the Black and Gold faithful knew he was back.
The winger had arguably his best game of the season in Boston's 4-2 win over the Sabres. Playing alongside his usual pesky veteran linemates Steve Begin and Shawn Thornton, Bitz popped his second goal of the season in the second period. Both Begin and Thornton assisted on the tally.
“I thought this was probably Bitzy’s best game of the year tonight,’’ said coach Claude Julien told the Boston Globe. “He was really good. Not because he scored a goal, but because he was so strong on the puck and along the boards. They couldn’t take it off him, and he used his size and strength to his advantage. He really played a good game, so when you add a guy to a line like that, he’s going to have an impact and make that line much better.’’
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About the Author
After graduating from Springfield College, John Beattie spent two seasons reporting for the New York Jets' Internet and Publications department before the Longmeadow, Mass. native joined NESN. While at Springfield, Beattie played first base and outfield for the Pride.