Hartley on benching Gaudreau, Monahan, Bouma: 'They didn't rob a bank. They made a mistake'

Calgary Flames head coach Bob Hartley believes Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, and Lance Bouma have learned their lesson.

Hartley benched the trio of players against the Toronto Maple Leafs Tuesday after the three reportedly showed up late to practice on Monday.

Despite sitting his two leading scorers, Hartley doesn't feel the move was that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things.

"I know some people say, '(Those are our) top two scorers' ... but when you make a mistake, you have to be accountable," Hartley said, according to Kristen Odland of Postmedia.

"It was tough because you can't find three better young men," said Hartley. "They made a mistake, they paid for it.

"They didn't rob a bank. They made a mistake. And this is the last time we'll address it," Hartley added.

Hartley's comments would suggest the trio will be back in action when the Flames take on the San Jose Sharks Thursday.