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So long, Lindy -- Sabres fire head coach Ruff

Lindy Ruff

Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff watches from behind the bench during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 18, 2011. The Sabres won 1-0. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

AP

It’s the end of an era in Buffalo. The Sabres announced Wednesday that head coach Lindy Ruff has been fired.

Ruff, 53, had been the Sabres’ head coach since July 21, 1997, and was the longest-serving coach in the NHL. Four times he took Buffalo to the conference finals, advancing to the Stanley Cup finals in 1999 where the Sabres fell to the Dallas Stars in six games.

In 2006, Ruff won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s top coach.

But the Sabres are off to a disappointing 6-10-1 start this season, Ruff’s 15th as Buffalo’s bench boss. Last night, they were booed off the ice at the First Niagara Center after losing, 2-1, to Winnipeg.

All the while, pressure was mounting on general manager Darcy Regier to make significant changes.

Buffalo’s current struggles come after the team missed the playoffs in 2011-12 despite one of the highest payrolls in the NHL.

Related: Looking back at Ruff’s time in Buffalo

No confirmations yet but hearing Ron Rolston (coaching Rochester in AHL) as possible and perhaps likely replacement in BUF.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 20, 2013