Is Jon Cooper justified in his argument for Hagel’s hand pass?

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper didn’t hold back in his postgame press conference following Thursday’s 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Late in the third period with their goalie pulled for an extra attacker, Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov scored what appeared to be the game-tying goal. However, officials gathered and spoke with the NHL’s Situation Room in Toronto, and the goal was overturned due to what officials called a “hand pass” from Lightning forward Brandon Hagel.

Cooper let his feelings be known when asked about the no-goal after the game.

“Was there an advantage gained or not?” he said. “Did Brandon Hagel direct that puck knowing exactly where it was going? No. Would you sit here today and say Brandon Hagel was maybe protecting his face from the puck hitting hit? Or protecting some part of his body?”

“If I threw this microphone at you right now,” Cooper asked a reporter, “would you put your hands up to stop it?”

“Hell yeah,” the reported replied.

“Hell yeah you would,” Cooper Said.

On Friday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton discuss Cooper’s argument and whether he has a point.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Do you agree with Cooper or do you think he used his hand to move the puck?

Carter Hutton: I’m Switzerland on this one: I know in Toronto they have to make hard decisions, right? There has to be a hard line in the sand. They have to make a call that falls under the rule.

But I also agree with what Cooper is saying. There’s got to be a little discretion here – this isn’t an actual hand pass, the puck is coming at his face and he defends himself.

I think this is where I struggle with the black eye of hockey: this is a great play, these are the plays you want in hockey, and now there’s a setback.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…