Jon Cooper issues apology for controversial postgame remarks

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper found himself in a bit of controversy earlier this week during his postgame remarks after his team was eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Florida Panthers.

Cooper was fuming over the fact that not one but two Lightning goals were disallowed due to goaltender interference, a pair of calls that he clearly disagreed with.

"Like the second something happens, we might as well put skirts on them then if that's how that's gonna be... I think we're letting the goalies off the hook," he concluded. 

Needless to say, his last comment there drew the ire of more than a few. And now, Cooper is issuing an apology "to all who I offended" while also stating that he had to "explain" himself to his two young daughters at home.

"I made an inappropriate analogy about goalies and skirts," Cooper said during his end-of-season media availability session. "You know, it’s one of those moments if you could just reach back and grab the words back, I would have."

"I have girls that play sports," Cooper said. "Quite frankly, it was wrong. I had to go explain myself to my girls. It’s pained me more than the actually series loss itself."

Cooper has reportedly been re-signed to a new contract by the Lightning, meaning that his tenure as the longest-serving current NHL head coach will continue. 

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