Guest Crymson Report post Posted February 6, 2012 Apparently even the Sabres` coaching staff is not safe from the absurdity that has become their entire season. BUFFALO, N.Y. -- As if the Buffalo Sabres haven't endured enough injuries already this season. Add coach Lindy Ruff to the list. Ruff sustained three broken ribs in what was described as "a freak accident" after he was upended by defenceman Jordan Leopold in practice on Monday. In revealing the extent of the coach's injuries, the Sabres announced that Ruff is expected to be back at practice Tuesday to "resume his coaching responsibilities." Ruff was hurt near the end of practice during a puck-chase drill when Leopold was trying to cut off forward Ville Leino. Ruff was standing in the middle of the ice looking the other way when Leopold lost his footing and went sliding head first on his stomach and crashed into the back of his coach's skates. Ruff fell backward and landed on his right side with a heavy thud, and was fortunate not to hit his head. Witnesses said they heard Ruff yell out in pain. A Sabres trainer went out to tend to Ruff, who required assistance as he slowly skated off the ice. Ruff was still in pain, clutching his right arm, as a trainer escorted him out of team's facility a few minutes later. "I was racing for the puck with Ville, and I ended up losing an edge," Leopold said. "Right when I hit the deck I knew there was no way I was getting up. I was yelling, 'Heads, heads, heads.' Lindy had his back to me, and it ended up happening." Leopold knew almost immediately that Ruff was hurt. "I lost my breath. I was looking back right when it happened and I yelled, 'Are you all right?' And right away, 'No.' So that wasn't a good thing," he said. "That was one of those unexpected ones. Those ones are dangerous." Ruff's injury is the latest to hit a team that's been banged-up for much of this season. Captain Jason Pominville is the only player not to have missed a game this year. Sabres owner Terry Pegula has blamed the rash of injuries on much of his team's struggles this season. Buffalo (22-24-6) opened Monday in a tie for 12th in the Eastern Conference standings. The Sabres are 3-0-1 in their past four games since snapping a five-game skid, and host Boston on Wednesday. In his 14th season with the Sabres, the 51-year-old Ruff is the team's winningest and longest-serving coach. "Scary situation, just hoping he's going to be all right here," goalie Ryan Miller said. "Lindy's broken a few bones and had a few scrapes and a few cuts in his career. To see him in that much pain, I think he probably has something going on there. And hopefully he's all right. We need him behind the bench yelling and calling the lines." 1 Shaman reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtydangles 1,328 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 man, that sucks. discussion on coaches wearing helmets? look at the hall incident being called "freak" and then more and more happen. coulda hit is head, he was lucky. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 He was one of the few Sabres who hasn't been injured this season...until now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rbochan 15 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 That was Leopold's first hit of the season. 3 sleepwalker and 55fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 Leino involved with this story? Oh, the irony. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 Sounded accidental. Three game suspension and give Leino first line minutes as well as first PP and PK duties. That sounds ok by me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 Open season on Head Coaches? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted March 13, 2012 Less than a month ago, they were at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Right now, they're in ninth spot, two points out of the playoffs. I haven't checked to see if Leopold's TOI has gone down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,518 Report post Posted March 13, 2012 Leino involved with this story? Oh, the irony. That is sort of funny. I don't recall Leino ever racing for a puck in Detroit, so it's sort of hard for me to work up a mental image for all of this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted March 13, 2012 It'd be funny if they ended up making the playoffs. The power of the thread karma. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Wings Addict 787 Report post Posted March 14, 2012 It'd be funny if they ended up making the playoffs. The power of the thread karma. That means Pittsburgh and Chicago will meet in the finals too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted March 25, 2012 (edited) As of this moment, Buffalo is in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. As of this moment, Buffalo is three five points out of first place in the Northeast Division and second overall in he Eastern Conference. Edited March 25, 2012 by cusimano_brothers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted March 25, 2012 As of this moment, Buffalo is in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. As of this moment, Buffalo is three five points out of first place in the Northeast Division and second overall in he Eastern Conference. The wonders of division seeding. I wish they'd get rid of that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted March 28, 2012 (edited) Wow! Their record in the last 20 games: 14W-2L-4OL. Edited March 28, 2012 by cusimano_brothers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z Winged Dangler 2,082 Report post Posted March 28, 2012 and they pumped the caps last night. since my 2nd favourite team, the Jets are out of the picture, go sabres. i like their team a lot and i hate the caps aside from a few players. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Wings Addict 787 Report post Posted March 28, 2012 Good for them that they were able to turn their season around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingslogo19 281 Report post Posted March 28, 2012 Good to see a team bounce back Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted April 4, 2012 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kylee 727 Report post Posted April 4, 2012 Kinda looks like Michael Savage Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedWingsRox 614 Report post Posted April 4, 2012 I'm actually cheering for Buffalo over Washington. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wombat 26 Report post Posted April 4, 2012 IT'S GONNA BE HUGE BUFFALO, HUUUUUUUUUUUUGE!! I lived in WNY for about 6 years, and I certainly do not miss that guy's mug on my TV and on most city buses in Buffalo! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted April 6, 2012 Well, I gotta imagine that Ruff has coached his last with Buffalo. How's that Leino deal looking now? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingslogo19 281 Report post Posted April 6, 2012 Solid run just didn't have it at the end. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422 Report post Posted April 6, 2012 Solid run just didn't have it at the end. Indeed. All things considering for them this season not a bad job tbh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedWingsRox 614 Report post Posted April 6, 2012 This season is becoming a tragicomedy for the Wings. One point, we were talking about #1 in the West and now look at us. 2 sleepwalker reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites