NHL Goalie Interference Rule Explained: The Ultimate Guide

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The NHL goal crease is an area that is designed exclusively for the goaltender; however, this may not always be the case. There’s a penalty to be paid for any opponent who illegally invades this space or makes intentional physical contact while the goalie is trying to do his job.

Let’s take a look at how the NHL protects its goaltenders by studying the league’s current goalie interference rule.

Table of contents

What is a Goalie Interference in Hockey?

Goalie interference occurs when an attacking player makes contact with a goalie inside or outside of the goal crease when the contact was deemed to be avoidable.

However, a player is allowed to make incidental contact with a goalie if it was ruled to be unavoidable and he did all he could to help prevent contact. If a goal is scored while a player has been ruled to have interfered with the goaltender, it will be disallowed.

Here is a quick video where a goaltender interference penalty was called because it was avoidable by the player:

Goalie Interference Rule Explained (Rule 69 – Interference on the Goaltender)

The NHL handles goalie interference with rule 69 of its rule book, which is called “Interference on the Goalkeeper”. There are basically two parts to the rule as one section deals with disallowed goals, and the other section deals with penalty infractions. In many cases, if a goal is disallowed due to goalie interference it won’t necessarily result in a penalty.

The rule states that the position of the attacking player doesn’t necessarily determine if goalie interference should be called or not as a player is allowed to be in the crease in some circumstances.

Disallowed Goals

General Rules:

  • Goals are disallowed when an attacker’s position stops the goalie from moving inside the crease or defending the net.
  • Intentional contact with the goalie, whether inside or outside the crease, will result in a disallowed goal. Incidental contact is allowed.
  • Contact means, as per the rules, can be made by a player’s stick or any part of their body.

When Goals Are Allowed:

  • If a player initiates contact outside the crease but tries to avoid contact with the netminder.
  • If the offensive player is pushed into the goalie by an opponent and didn’t initiate the contact, as long as they tried to avoid the goalie.
  • If the attacker skates past the goalie’s crease and screens him without contact.
  • Players can stand on the crease line or outside the crease to screen the goalie without the goal being disallowed.
  • If a player is inside the crease without obstructing the goalie’s movement when the puck crosses the goal line.
  • Goals will stand if an attacker makes incidental contact with the netminder while both are attempting to play a loose puck.

When Goals Are Disallowed:

  • If an attacking player knocks a defender into the goalie, it’s deemed they initiated the contact.
  • Any contact with the goalie inside the crease, even accidental, or if the goalie initiates contact that impairs their movement.
  • If the goalie contacts an attacker who doesn’t promptly leave the crease.
  • If an attacker is inside the crease and obstructs the goalie’s vision or ability to defend.
  • If the goalie makes a save, but an attacker pushes them into the net along with the puck (unless the attacker was pushed by a defender).

Penalties on Disallowed Goals:

  • Players receive a minor penalty if they make disallowed contact, regardless of whether a goal was scored.

Goalie Interference Penalties

As far as penalty calls are concerned, whenever a player is ruled to have deliberately initiated contact with a goalie inside or outside of the crease and regardless if a goal is scored or not, it will result in a two-minute minor or five-minute major penalty for goalkeeper interference.

If the goalie is out of his crease to play the puck but is obstructed on the way back to the net, it will result in a penalty to the attacker. In addition, a netminder can be penalized if he deliberately initiates contact with the attacker other than to establish his position in the crease or if he uses excessive force to do so.

If the attacking player refuses to leave the crease, then each player will receive a penalty, and if the puck enters the net, the goal will be disallowed. If the attacker does leave the crease, just the netminder will receive a penalty, but any goal is still disallowed as the attacker has impaired his ability to defend the net.

Watch the Video to See Examples of Potential Goaltender Interference Situations:

Can You Challenge Goaltender Interference?

  • When goalie interference has been called and a goal has been disallowed because of it, the play may be challenged by the attacking team’s coach. This means the officials will review the play by video and decide whether or not there was goaltender interference.
  • A coach may also challenge the play if a goal was allowed but he believes it should be called back because of goalie interference.

What is a ‘Coach’s Challenge’?

A coach’s challenge comes under rule 38 which states that a coach may challenge the following situations at any time during a game:

  • an offside play which was missed and led to a goal;
  • a missed game stoppage in the offensive zone which led to a goal;
  • a potential goaltender interference infraction that wasn’t called and resulted in a goal;
  • a potential goalie interference infraction which was called and resulted in a goal being disallowed.

When it comes to the “Interference on the Goalkeeper” challenge specifically:

  • the norm for overturning a “good goal” is up to the NHL Situation Room, where the goal is reviewed in the office on various screens. Then the situation room discusses with the on-ice officials, and they determine if it is a good goal or not.
  • the norm for overturning a “no goal” call is also in the NHL Situation Room, where all is reviewed via video footage, and they determine if there was contact initiated by the player or the goalie, or if the attacker was pushed by the defending team, or i the attacking players position in the crease did not impair the goalie’s ability to save the puck from going in the net.

If the original call is upheld, the team that challenged the play will receive a two-minute bench-minor penalty.

Does it Matter if the Goalie is Inside or Outside the Goal Crease?

As stated in the explanations of the rules above, a referee’s call can depend on whether the goaltender or attacking player is stationed in or out of the crease. However, this doesn’t apply to deliberate contact by the attacker, as this isn’t allowed in either area.

Where is the Faceoff Located if a Goal is Called off?

If a goal is called off due to goalie interference, the faceoff is held at the nearest neutral zone faceoff dot. This is just outside the blueline of the net where the goal was called off.

How Long is a Goaltender Interference Penalty?

A typical goalie interference penalty is a two-minute minor. However, the referee has the power to call a five-minute major or match penalty on severe infractions and when the attacker deliberately intended to injure the goalie.

Can a Goalie Interfere with an Opposing Player?

A goaltender can’t legally interfere with an opponent who isn’t in possession of the puck. When a netminder interferes with an opponent it will result in a two-minute minor penalty for interference.

Has the Goalie Interference Rule Always Been in the NHL?

The NHL introduced the goalie interference rule in the 1991/92 season.

Can You Get Suspended and/or Fined for Goalie interference?

If the attacking player receives a major or match penalty for goalie interference he could receive a suspension and/or fine by the league. All major penalties handed out in the NHL, other than those assessed for fighting, are automatically reviewed at the time by the on-ice officials with the use of video replay. This allows the officials to either confirm the original penalty or to modify it by reducing the call to a double-minor or minor penalty or to nullify the penalty altogether.

In addition, rule 28.1 deals with Supplementary Discipline and states that the league may investigate any incident and hand out additional suspensions and/or fines for any offence committed during a game even if it didn’t result in a penalty. If the opposing team requests an investigation or the league launches one on its own it must initiated within 24 hours of the completion of the contest in which the incident took place.

What is the Referee Goalie Interference Signal?

interference on goalie

Rule 29.21 of the NHL rule book describes the referee’s signal for a goalie interference penalty to be the same as a regular interference call. This means the referee will cross his arms in front of his chest to form an “X” shape. See the image above for visual reference.

Why Goalie Interference is a Rule in the NHL

The NHL brought in the goalie interference rule to protect the netminders from getting run at or interfered with in any way when they are trying to protect the net and make saves. The league wants its netminders to be able to move about freely in their crease without being impaired or obstructed by the opposition.

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