Buffalo Sabres Fire Lindy Ruff; Name Ron Rolston as Interim Coach

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Ron Rolston has been hired as the Buffalo Sabres interim coach for the remainder of the season in taking over hours after Lindy Ruff was fired amid growing criticism for the team's slow start.

It's a promotion for Rolston, who was in his second season as coach of AHL Rochester, the Sabres' minor-league affiliate.

General manager Darcy Regier said the decision to fire Ruff was reached earlier in the day. It comes a day after the Sabres were booed off the ice during a 2-1 loss to Winnipeg. Regier called the loss - and the team's performance - a "tipping point."

The Sabres (6-10-1), who play at Toronto on Thursday, have gone 4-10-1 since opening the season winning their first two games.

With a 571-432-162 record, Ruff was the team's winningest coach.

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