Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato was fined $25,000 for "unprofessional conduct directed at the officials" by the NHL on Thursday.
During the third period of the Sabres game against the Florida Panthers, Granato argued a tripping call to Zach Benson so vociferously that it resulted in a bench minor for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Brandon Montour scored on the ensuing power play to put the Panthers up 3-1 in a game the Sabres would lose 3-2.
"You lose and you lose the way it happened, (it) is extremely aggravating and extremely disappointing and I'm not talking about our players. What transpired there is disappointing," Granato said after the loss ended his team's season-high three-game win streak.
Granato said he disagreed with a double-minor call on forward Jordan Greenway in the second period and a non-call when he said Peyton Krebs was punched in the head.
Asked if he regretted the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, Granato said: "At some point you've got to stand up for your team. You're put in that position as a coach, it's a tough position to be in, but you can't sit and watch."
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