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Wednesday, November 3, 1999
Hasek's groin injury a pain for Sabres
Torn muscle to keep star netminder on shelf for at least two months
Dominik Hasek will be convalescing rather than making saves for the next two months.
The Buffalo Sabres' standout goalie, who will retire following the 1999-2000 NHL season, found out yesterday that he has a 90% tear of his right groin muscle.
The injury will keep him out more than two months.
"It's the same area I hurt last year," Hasek said. "It was almost completely healed.
"It's very tough. But I still feel like a part of the team."
Hasek missed 12 games last season with a sore groin and two more in the playoffs against the Maple Leafs. He required off-season surgery to repair a related hernia.
He aggravated the injury last Friday when he attempted to kick out a 45-foot shot by Florida's Bret Hedican late in the third period. The shot, which banked off the post and into the net, left Hasek slumped on the ice and face down.
"I saw the puck at the last moment and tried to make a big save," Hasek said. "I felt it pop."
Hasek, a five-time Vezina Trophy winner, said the pain was more severe than he experienced last season.
The Czech, 1-4-1 this season, is being treated with anti-inflammatories. He will rest for the next few weeks to allow the groin area to strengthen and then rehabilitation will begin.
"We have been told that he will recover from it," Buffalo general manager Darcy Regier said. "We hope we'll have him back for the most important part of the season."
The bad news came a day before the Sabres take on the Stars in Dallas in a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup finalists.
"It's a great challenge for us," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. "We've always said that we're more than a one-dimensional team, and we have a chance to prove it now."
The Sabres were 5-4-3 without Hasek last season and split the two games with the Leafs to open their Eastern Conference final.
Martin Biron and Dwayne Roloson will alternate in Hasek's absence.
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