Jon Cooper under fire for using 'sexist' language in press conference last night

In case you missed it last night, the Tampa Bay Lightning were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Game 5 of their opening round series against the Florida Panthers.

At the heart of Game 5 were two failed Coach's Challenges from Lightning coach Jon Cooper. 

Not only did Cooper and the Lightning have a 1st period goal disallowed due to goaltender interference, but they also had the same fate befall them in the 2nd period that took away what would have been the game-tying goal from Mikhail Sergachev thanks to alleged interference from Anthony Cirelli. 

First, you be the judge: 

The NHL has offered the following explanation: 

"Video review confirmed Tampa Bay's Anthony Cirelli made incidental contact with goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky which impaired his ability to play his position prior to the goal. The decision was made in accordance with Rule 69.1, which states in part, 'Goals should be disallowed only if: (1) an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper's ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal."

After the game, which the Lightning lost 6-1, Cooper took issue with the NHL's interpretation of goaltender interference and is actually under fire from fans on social media for his use of 'sexist' language to explain the situation.

So... what did Cooper say exactly that was so insensitive?

"There was maybe incidental contact at most... net front battles aren't allowed anymore? That's part of everybody's game... it's like prison rules in the playoffs, but it's not prison rules for the goalies? We might as well put skirts on them then if that's how it's gonna be, I mean they have to battle through stuff too. It's a war down there and I think we're letting the goalies off the hook."

- Jon Cooper

Did you see it? You see the 'sexist' language? 

Cooper's remarks that goalies should be wearing skirts if they're not going to get involved physically. Women, of course, often wear skirts so this has been construed as being anti-women or anti-feminist by some dissenters online.

Personally though, we all understand what Cooper is trying to convey, right? Is anyone TRULY upset by his language? C'mon now... the guy was making a comment about physicality in hockey and he used an age old trope to drive home his point... let's not make this a symposium on 'toxic language' in hockey, please? Pretty please?

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