Lightning coach Jon Cooper apologizes for ‘skirts’ remark after loss to Panthers
Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper was much calmer when he spoke with reporters on Wednesday compared to his demeanor following the season-ending 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
His primary focus was to apologize for his postgame remarks, where he suggested that the league “might as well put skirts on” goaltenders after interference penalties nullified Lightning goals in the first and second periods.
“Honestly, I was wrong,” Cooper said about his comments, which were part of a four-minute rant after the game. “It has bothered me more than losing the series.”
Facing elimination in Game 5, the Lightning had a goal overturned that would have given them a 1-0 lead. Cooper described this as a “turning point” in the game, though he later refrained from blaming the officials for the loss. However, after his team was eliminated, he was vocal in his criticism.
“It’s like prison rules in the playoffs,” Cooper said in his postgame rant, “but it’s not prison rules for the goalie the second something happens? We might as well put skirts on them then if that’s how it’s going to be.”
On Wednesday, Cooper expressed regret for his comment, especially after having to explain it to his daughters.
