Before Jon Cooper’s exit interview news conference Wednesday, he opened up with an apology.
Cooper, the NHL’s longest-tenured coach, had come under fire for saying following Monday’s season-ending loss that you “might as well put skirts” on goalies. He commented on two goaltender interference calls that negated Tampa Bay goals in Game 5 against the Florida Panthers.
“As you know, we had a pretty disappointing series loss the other night and I made an inappropriate analogy about goalies in skirts,” Cooper said. “That is one of those moments, if you could just reach back and grab the words back, I would have. As a father of two and a massive supporter of women’s hockey and girls who play sports, quite frankly, it was wrong.
“I got to go explain myself to my girls. Anyway, I sincerely apologize to all I offended. It has pained me more than the actual series loss itself.”
Jon Cooper’s address on the goalies wearing skirts comment that he regrets https://t.co/QGVW6xpoTN pic.twitter.com/mAlrg3nIgY
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) May 1, 2024
The Lightning had lost in the first round for back-to-back seasons, this time a 4-1 series defeat to the Panthers, when Cooper made these comments regarding the two disallowed goals. “Net-front battles aren’t allowed…
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