Dallas Suspends Belfour Indefinitely

D A L L A S, Jan. 8 -- A second case of bizarre off-ice behavior thatleft Dallas Stars goalie Eddie Belfour suspended indefinitely maybe reconciled with general manager Bob Gainey — and lead to thegoalie’s return in a matter of days.

Gainey for the second straight day sounded optimistic sayingthat differences could be overcome and that Belfour could be backon the ice soon.

Belfour left the team in Boston on Saturday, flying back toDallas after arguing with coach Ken Hitchcock over participation inan optional pregame practice.

On Sunday, the Stars suspended Belfour indefinitely.

“I’ve spoken to Ed, and at this time he feels he is not readyto join the team,” Gainey said in a statement Sunday. “We haveplaced him on suspension as we work toward a resolution.”

Backup Turco Gets Shutout

On his way out of town, Belfour — a free agent after this season— called Stars captain Derian Hatcher to give his side of thestory. Hatcher filled in his teammates, but refused to publiclydiscuss the details.

“I don’t want to speak for Eddie, and I don’t want to speak for Bob,” Hatcher said.

On Saturday, Gainey said: “I think the way I view the situationis there was a conflict, which itself was a problem, and the way Edchose to respond to the problem created another problem. That isthe bigger problem. We’ll start there and work our way back. Hemade a choice, and I’d like to give him the opportunity toexplain.”

Coming off a 4-2 loss in Detroit, Hitchcock decided to giveBelfour a break and let Marty Turco start Saturday night againstthe Bruins. Tradition dictated that, as the backup for the day,Belfour be in goal for the morning skate so Turco could savehimself for the game.

He refused, triggering the blowup between a coach known asdemanding and often vocal with his players and a quirky star withwhom there was never any indication of friction. In fact, twice inthe last month, Hitchcock went with Belfour in games after he’ddiscussed using Turco.