The NHL didn't take kindly to Rod Brind'Amour's press conference blowup Wednesday, but at least his team still has his back.
The Hurricanes head coach was fined $25,000 for calling the league "a joke" in reaction to a controversial ruling in Carolina's Game 1 loss to the Boston Bruins.
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The Hurricanes don't appear to bothered by Brind'Amour calling out the league, though. In fact, the team's social media account suggested it would pick up Brind'Amour's tab Thursday in a rather clever defense of its head coach.
A couple details to note: The 'Canes referenced Ben Franklin's famous "fast pay makes fast friends" quote, a tongue-in-cheek ploy to get back in the NHL's good graces.
The best part: The total payment includes an extra $17 -- 17 being the number Brind'Amour wore during his 10-season playing career in Carolina.
Even if you're a Bruins fan, you have to admit that's pretty well-executed.
Meanwhile, Brind'Amour appeared to have learned his lesson, insisting he's "moving on" in a Zoom call with reporters Thursday ahead of Game 2 of the teams' Stanley Cup Playoff series.
Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET on Thursday -- assuming the Lightning and Blue Jackets don't play five more overtimes.