Jon Cooper, head coach of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning, addressed media Wednesday, opening his comments with an apology for his sexist comment following Tampa's game five playoff loss.

Following the Tampa Bay Lightning's elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs at the hands of the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper made a sexist remark about goaltenders in the NHL. The coach was upset with calls stemming from net front battles contacting Florida's netminder.

"Net front battles aren't allowed anymore? That's part of everybody's game, it's like, the boxing out that goes there, it's like prison rules, in the playoffs, but it's not prison rules for the goalie? Like the second something happens, you know like, we might as well put skirts on them then, if that's how it's going to be. I mean hey have to battle through things too."

Cooper's comments were immediately condemned by fans from across the league, particularly women and non-conforming men who identified the comment as sexist and misogynistic. 

Wednesday, Cooper addressed his comments to media.

"As you know pretty disappointing series loss the other night," Cooper began. "I made an inappropriate analogy about goalies and skirts. It's one of those moments if you could just reach back and grab the words back I would have. As a father of two, especially massive supporter of women's hockey, and girls that play sports, and so...quite frankly it was wrong."

"I had to go explain myself to my girls. I sincerely apologize to all I offended. It's pained me more than the actual series loss itself."

Cooper's comments came following a game five 6-1 loss to Florida.