December 5th, 1978 Sabres Fire Imlach and Coach Pronovost.

[Canadiens1958]

One of those days. Punch Imlach fired as Sabres GM and Marcel Pronovost let go as coach. Tim Burke column about the firings and a story about Canadiens captain Yvan Cournoyer considering retirement due to back problems.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wH0xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5aEFAAAAIBAJ&hl=fr&pg=6204,4704055

Click to read more...

 

[Killion]

Brought up Billy Inglis from Rochester to finish the season as Interim Coach, going 28-18-10, bowed out in the first round, Bowman hired thereafter. Inglis returned to Rochester, then a fairly lengthy career Coaching in the IHL. He too has a Montreal connection, having played Junior early 60's with the Jr. Canadiens out of Montreal & Hull-Ottawa, lengthy minor-pro career, AHL, IHL, CHL etc, including a handful of NHL games, 14 with the Sabres in their first season in the league. Centre, little guy at 5'7" or 5'8".

 

[SuperNintendoChalmrs]

Sabres started to drop off in 78-79. Couldn't repeat the playoff performance of 1975. Went out in the 2nd round to the Islanders in 76 and 77. Were embarrassed in the 1st round in 79.

 

[Killion]

Were embarrassed in the 1st round in 79.

Wasnt that bad SNC. Lost game one against the Pens 4-3, won game
two 3-1, lost in OT 4-3 in game 3. Not good, but not all that embarrassing.