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Bylsma calls Reinhart’s rule violation, subsequent benching ‘disappointing’

Buffalo Sabres v Edmonton Oilers

EDMONTON, AB - OCTOBER 16: Sam Reinhart #23 of the Buffalo Sabres warms up before the game against the Edmonton Oilers on October 16, 2016 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)

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There was a strange sight during Buffalo’s 3-1 loss to Columbus on Tuesday night: Sabres forward Sam Reinhart, fully dressed, sitting on the end of the bench.

And not moving.

At all.

Reinhart was parked for the entire 60 minutes last night, which the Sabres later revealed to be punishment for violating team policy. According to a Buffalo News source, the 21-year-old showed up late to a meeting in the team hotel.

Suffice to say, Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma wasn’t happy with the situation, or the outcome.

“We’re going to move forward from here,” Bylsma said. “Disappointing, but it happened and we dealt with it. We’re going to move on from here.

“We’re part of a team. We do things as a team. That’s hopefully the lesson.”

This isn’t the first time Reinhart’s run afoul of Bylsma this season.

In late October -- and with Reinhart failing to find the back of the net -- Bylsma said the club needed to get more out of the sophomore forward, who had 23 goals and 42 points as a rookie last season.

That said, Reinhart has exceeded his point total from last year, currently on 46, and has been a steady lineup presence (well, aside from last night). He’s one of just a handful of Sabres to appear in 70-plus games this season, and saw his TOI jump up to 17:15 per night.