Avalanche star rookie Bo Byram likely back at full strength after absorbing elbow to the head
Avalanche defenseman Bo Byram practiced in a regular jersey on Friday after leaving Thursday’s game with an apparent head injury late in the first period of a 7-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.
Byram, who was limited to 19 games last season because of multiple concussions, was cleared from concussion protocol after absorbing an elbow from Canucks captain Bo Horvat. Byram is tied for third in NHL rookie scoring with eight points (three goals) in 11 games for the Avs (5-5-1).
“Early indication says that he’s a player for us tomorrow,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said post-practice of Byram. “You’re always nervous about it after a player leaves the game. You don’t know what he’s going to feel like the next day. In this scenario, I think he was probably a little nervous about it too because of his history. But he woke up this morning feeling great, worked out, came on the ice, and made it to the whole practice.”
Colorado, which will continue to play without top center Nathan MacKinnon (lower-body injury), will conclude a two-game homestand Saturday against the San Jose Sharks. The game is the Avs’ annual Hockey Fights Cancer night.
The Avs had all of their defensemen available for the first time this season against Vancouver. Perhaps that’s why they dominated — even after losing Byram and playing with just five defensemen the rest of the way.
“Most important thing is he’s OK right now,” said Sam Girard, who began as Byram’s partner Thursday. “He’s a big part of the team and we’re glad that he is alright. Nothing (serious) happened to him”
View more on Brush News-Tribune