They hear it all the time. Officials are screamed at by coaches and players when an opposing player is close to the net or especially when a player close to the net scores a goal. ?He?s in the crease! Blow the whistle!? Well, there are only certain times when the whistle should be blown, and we?re going to talk about them this week.
Rule 629:
Protection of the Goalkeeper
The crease rule is intended to implement a "no harm, no foul" standard. The rule is based on the premise that an attacking player's position, whether inside or outside the crease, should not, by itself, determine whether a goal should be allowed or disallowed - i.e., goals scored while attacking players are standing in the crease may, in appropriate circumstances be allowed.
(a) 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; or
(2) An attacking player initiates more than incidental contact with a goalkeeper, inside or outside of his goal crease. Incidental contact with a goalkeeper will be permitted, and resulting goals allowed, when such contact is initiated outside of the goal crease, provided the attacking player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact. The rule will be enforced exclusively in accordance with the on-rink judgment of the Referee(s).
(3) An attacking player deliberately prevents the goalkeeper from returning to his crease area.
i. Such player may be penalized for interference. Similarly, the goalkeeper may be penalized, if by his actions outside of his crease he deliberately interferes with an attacking player who is attempting to play the puck or an opponent.
(b) If an attacking player initiates any contact with a goalkeeper, other than incidental contact, while the goalkeeper is in his goal crease or outside his goal crease, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.
(1) For a violation of this rule, the Referee shall assess a minor penalty to the attacking player.
(c) If an attacking player establishes a significant position within the goal crease, so as to obstruct the goalkeeper's vision and impair his ability to defend his goal, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed. The attacking player shall not ?park? in the goal crease.
(1) If, after any contact initiated by a goalkeeper who is attempting to establish position in his goal crease, the attacking player does not immediately vacate his current position in the goal crease (i.e., give ground to the goalkeeper), and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.
i. In all such cases, whether or not a goal is scored, the offensive player will receive a minor penalty for interference.
(d) In a rebound situation, or where a goalkeeper and offensive player(s) are simultaneously attempting to play a loose puck, whether inside or outside the crease, incidental contact with the goalkeeper will be permitted, and any goal that is scored as a result thereof will be allowed.
(e) In the event that a goalkeeper has been pushed into the net together with the puck after making a stop, the goal will be disallowed. If applicable, appropriate penalties will be assessed.
(f) A goalkeeper who deliberately initiates contact with an attacking player other than to establish position in the crease, or who otherwise acts to create the appearance of other than incidental contact with an attacking player, is subject to the assessment of a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The summary of this rule is basically that if a player is not preventing the goalie from being where they want to be, that offensive player is able to be in the goal crease. You cannot however, stand in the crease in front of the goalie and prevent the goaltender from seeing a shot. You must be outside of the crease to do that legally. Notice also that if there is a loose puck in the crease, incidental contact is permitted. If you?re a goaltender, you may be interested in knowing that you are able to initiate contact legally as long as you?re attempting to gain a position in the goal crease. If an offensive player is outside of the goal crease and the goaltender initiates contact, a penalty may be called.
So from now on, if a player is standing on the edge of the crease away from the play, there?s no need to shout at the official, they?re just doing their job.
The Rule of the Week will likely be taking a couple of weeks off for the holidays since it is assumed many players will not be checking the NCRHA.org website as regularly. Over semester break, be sure to check into the message boards a vote on the many midseason polls and participate in discussions as we lead into an exciting second half of the season. It looks as if the national championship will be hotly contested for this spring.
As always, if you have questions, feel free to email your Regional Director or go directly to the rulebook located at www.NCRHA.org. Good luck to everyone, and have a safe and happy holiday season!
