SPORTS

Buffalo Sabres fire longtime coach Lindy Ruff after inconsistent start to the short season

The Associated Press Published Wednesday, February 20, 2013 3:57PM EST

Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff gives instructions during the first day of the team's NHL hockey training camp in Buffalo, N.Y. in this January 2013 file photo. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)

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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have fired coach Lindy Ruff as a result of the team's inconsistent start to the season.

The announcement was made on the team's Twitter account and confirmed by Sabres spokesman Michael Gilbert on Wednesday. Ruff was relieved of his duties shortly after the team held a 90-minute practice, and a day after the Sabres were booed several times by their home fans during a 2-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

The Sabres (6-10-1) 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.