Breaking: After the “Bikini Cheerleaders” incident sparks outrage, Bruce Cassidy demands that the NHL take action against Edmonton Oilers fans— As league officials scramble to contain backlash from what he describes as a “disgraceful spectacle” that is tarnishing the integrity of the game, the coach of the Vegas Golden Knights calls for an immediate ban or restrictions.

The NHL postseason has been marred by a firestorm of controversy following an incident now infamously dubbed the “Bikini Cheerleaders” debacle. In the aftermath of what many are calling an unprecedented breach of professionalism and sportsmanship in hockey arenas, Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy is leading a chorus of criticism — demanding swift and serious action from league officials against the fanbase of the Edmonton Oilers.

During a tense playoff series between the Golden Knights and Oilers, a group of Oilers fans appeared at Rogers Place in Edmonton dressed in scantily clad, bikini-themed outfits meant to mock or distract players on the visiting team bench. Videos of the group quickly spread across social media, with many users condemning the display as “sexist,” “juvenile,” and “an embarrassment to hockey.”

Cassidy, visibly agitated in a post-game press conference following his team’s Game 4 loss, didn’t hold back.

“This isn’t college football. This is the NHL,” Cassidy said. “What happened behind our bench was disgraceful. It was a sideshow — not a hockey game. The league needs to take action immediately. This is not the atmosphere we want for our players, our staff, or for families watching the game.”

The group of women, reportedly organized by a local influencer and Oilers superfan, donned matching two-piece outfits painted in Oilers colors. Their appearance behind the visiting team’s bench drew continuous attention from television cameras and created a disruptive environment, according to Cassidy and several Golden Knights players.

Multiple sources confirm the group was coordinated via social media, and several were granted premium seating — a fact that raises further concerns about how such an act was facilitated.

What may have begun as an attempt at viral fandom or edgy playoff antics has now escalated into a broader debate about what constitutes acceptable behavior in NHL arenas.

Cassidy took it a step further by asserting that if the NHL fails to act, it could set a dangerous precedent.

“We talk about respect all the time — respect for the game, respect for each other,” he said. “But what I saw out there? That was a mockery. I don’t care if it’s meant to be funny. It wasn’t. It was inappropriate and it’s damaging the integrity of the postseason.”

Privately, league officials are said to be “deeply concerned” about the optics of the incident. According to sources within the NHL office, Commissioner Gary Bettman has already convened emergency meetings with security and public relations teams to assess how the league should respond.

One league executive, speaking on the condition of anonymity, called the incident “a nightmare scenario for optics in a year when the NHL has made strides to project a more inclusive and respectful brand.”

“We’re facing growing scrutiny around fan behavior,” the executive said. “The last thing we need is a situation where our arenas are seen as unsafe or unserious environments.”

An internal investigation is reportedly underway to determine whether Rogers Place security staff had any advance notice or involvement in the seating arrangements.

Though the NHL has not made a public statement as of Tuesday morning, a source confirmed that a league-wide memo addressing “decorum in fan zones” is being drafted for immediate distribution to all playoff teams.

Golden Knights players, speaking under the condition of anonymity, echoed their coach’s concerns. One veteran defenseman said the atmosphere in Edmonton “felt like we were being trolled the entire time.”

“You come here expecting loud fans, we know Edmonton is one of the toughest barns,” the player said. “But this was something else. It felt orchestrated. There were guys on the bench genuinely distracted — and not because of the crowd noise.”

Another Vegas player suggested that the actions were potentially part of a calculated psychological tactic.

“Look, we get it. It’s playoffs, anything to get an edge. But that crossed a line. That’s not hockey,” he said.

Even some Oilers players appeared uncomfortable with the situation. Forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, when asked post-game about the scene behind the Vegas bench, offered a reserved response.

“I’m focused on the game, not what’s happening in the stands,” he said, before pausing. “But yeah, it’s… not what I’d like to see.”

Fan reactions to the incident have been polarized. On social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok, debate has raged between those defending the women’s right to express fandom however they choose and those condemning the display as tone-deaf and inappropriate for a professional sports setting.

Some Edmonton fans have pushed back against Cassidy’s criticisms, accusing him of overreacting and trying to shift focus away from his team’s on-ice performance.

“Bruce Cassidy is just salty because they’re down in the series,” one popular Oilers account posted on X. “He’s mad at the fans because we brought energy. Grow up.”

Others, however, supported the coach’s comments.

“There’s a difference between being a passionate fan and turning the arena into a sideshow,” wrote one user. “The NHL should absolutely set limits on this sort of thing.”

Prominent women in hockey, including journalists and former players, have added their voices to the discourse. Analyst and former Team Canada star Cassie Campbell-Pascall wrote, “If the NHL wants more girls watching the game, it should think twice about what it allows in the stands.”

The controversy comes at a time when the NHL is actively working to expand its appeal, particularly among women and young families. The league has invested heavily in campaigns promoting inclusion, respect, and community outreach. Incidents like this — even if limited to a single group of fans — risk undercutting those efforts.

Cassidy emphasized that his objections weren’t about “modesty policing” but about maintaining a professional standard in elite sports environments.

“We’re not talking about someone wearing a funny hat or yelling too loud,” he said. “We’re talking about something that would be considered inappropriate in most professional contexts — yet it was front and center, and allowed to happen in the playoffs. That’s unacceptable.”

The coach also suggested that if the league doesn’t enforce a stronger code of conduct, teams may need to consider escalating concerns through formal grievance processes.

“At what point does it become harassment? At what point are our players and coaches being put in a position where they can’t focus on the job because of something entirely avoidable?”

In the wake of the incident, several team executives and coaches are reportedly discussing formal proposals for clearer fan code-of-conduct regulations during playoff games.

One proposed measure gaining traction is the implementation of a “prohibited attire” policy for seats directly behind the benches and penalty boxes — similar to rules enforced in courtside NBA settings.

Others have floated the idea of mandating uniform dress standards in premium seating areas or requiring review and approval for promotional stunts coordinated by influencers or fan groups.

Cassidy made it clear that he would support any such rule changes.

“The NHL is the best hockey league in the world. We should hold ourselves to the highest standards — on the ice and off.”

As Game 5 looms, all eyes are now not just on the Oilers and Golden Knights, but on NHL headquarters. With public pressure mounting and discourse reaching a fever pitch, many expect the league to make a formal statement within the next 24 to 48 hours.

Whether the NHL institutes bans, restrictions, or merely issues a warning remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Bruce Cassidy’s comments have turned a viral distraction into a flashpoint for a broader conversation about sportsmanship, respect, and the environment fans help create in NHL arenas.

The NHL’s next move will likely set a precedent — not just for how this playoff unfolds, but for the future tone and tenor of the league itself.