RUFF READS SABRES THE RIOT ACT!
By Rick Anderson
Thursday, October 21, 1999

Today the Sabres pulled the rug from under Dominik Hasek. He's been doing that for them the past few games, so Lindy Ruff felt it was time to give him a taste of what it feels like. I a surprise move, Ruff announced that he was benching Hasek for the time being and that Martin Biron was being recalled from Rochester.

In his attempt to stop the bleeding, Lindy Ruff has made numerous maneuvers to try to regain the spark the team has not seen since the Stanley Cup Finals last June. But nothing has helped the team post its first win of the season. After allowing a goal on the very first shot (from the blue line, no less) and another soft goal later on in the first period against the Nashville Predators, Ruff felt it was time for a change.

"Right now we have to get a win," Ruff said today. "Desperate times call for desperate measures. I think you are going to start seeing some desperate measures."

Ruff did not focus all the blame on Hasek, however. The whole team received his wrath today as he read them the riot act. In fact, the past few games have seen several closed door meetings between periods and after games. That apparently hasn't sent home a strong enough message, so more changes are in the works. He indicated that the benching of Hasek is only the beginning if the team doesn't turn it around immediately. Ruff said that he would consider sitting other players or even trades to get the team winning again.

"There's something missing right now," Ruff said. "And its not just one part of our game, it's a little of everything. We've given them all the opportunities. We've had the five holdouts, the conditioning of the five holdouts, some guys aren't quite in shape. There's no more excuses. Along those lines, you have to shake things up. If you look at the next two games, I think it's an important two games for this hockey team."

"He has struggled with his game," Ruff said. "When he's on his game he's a ferocious competitor and there have been times when I haven't seen that fire. . . . You can't say that his focus has been there."

To the shock of all reporters, the ex-Dominator made huge admission when he said, "Maybe he's right. It's a hard time for everyone in this locker room. I can't blame anyone but myself. I'll go to practice tomorrow and try and work harder (but) maybe he's right."

Today, Hasek seemed a little more controlled in his remarks.

"The problem is I don't (haven't been playing) play well," Hasek said. "I know it and I have to solve it. I know I have to play better, but I have to help myself. I have to work hard in the practice and be 100% concentrated on the game."

Hasek denied that the upcoming retirement has anything to do with his recent poor play.

"When he's focused, he gets himself in a zone," Ruff said. "We haven't seen that zone yet. There have been times in games where you're seeing those incredible saves, and it seems like he's not going to get beat. He hasn't really put it together for a full 60 minute effort."

"He's been off to a slow start, quite frankly, for the past three years," Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier said. "His save percentage is not that different than what its been the past few years. I think the biggest difference is this current situation we're currently in is very much a team effort. We're looking for Marty to give us a little bit of a spark."

Martin Biron flew this morning to join the team for a practice. It came on sudden notice and seemed to catch the young goalie by surprise.

"I was a little surprised," Biron said. "It's seven games into the season and it's early. The organization decided that they wanted me to be back here. So I was surprised and happy at the same time."

"It may be a one game trial, it may be a two week thing," Biron continued. "The only think I want is to be here so I'll do everything I can to stick with the team."

In six games with the Rochester Americans of the AHL this season, Biron has won all six, posted a 2.09 GAA and has a save percentage of .924. He also has one shutout in helping the Amerks to a perfect 7-0 start - quite the opposite atmosphere than what's hovering around Buffalo these days.

"At this level, I want to show them that I want to stay here for the rest of the season,"a confident and determined Biron said. "I scored some points in training camp and now it's time to show that is's my job."

"Obviously, if Marty plays unbelievable and wins games, he's going to play," said Ruff. "In the same sense, that's going to give us an unbelievable one-two punch. Maybe that turns up the competition level too. The team need that fire. I hope that Marty comes in and plays unbelievable. I think that competitive edge is what's needed around this team right now."

Tomorrow night at Marine Midland Arena, Martin Biron will make his first regular season start for the Buffalo Sabres in the 1999-2000 campaign. He determined to make sure it is not his last. If he plays the way he did in his first start last season against Dallas, he may be manning the pipes quite often for the remainder of the season.

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