All sports come with a set of rules and regulations to them and of course this includes ice hockey. The ice surface is separated into certain areas such as the defensive, neutral and offensive zones and these are signified by the blue lines and red line. You’ll also notice the ice contains face off circles and dots, goal lines, goal creases, a referee’s crease and trapezoid areas behind the goal lines.
The goal creases are situated right in front of the net and are shaded blue in colour. They’re used as safe zones to help protect the goaltenders and to also assist them in playing their angles while making saves during games.
The History of the Hockey Crease
In the 1933-1934 NHL campaign the league introduced an L-shaped boundary which measured 8 feet wide by 5 feet deep in front of each net which was the first known version of the goal crease. The crease as we know it today came into use in 1934-35 and in 1939-40 it was reduced in size to 7 feet wide by 3 feet deep.
In 1951-52 the crease was enlarged to 8 by 4 feet and in 1986-1987 to 1989-1990 a semicircle crease was added to the traditional rectangular crease. Between 1991-1992 and 1994-1995 the rectangular goal crease was replaced with a semicircle/half-moon shaped crease and the size went from 24 to 44 square feet.
In addition, L-shaped lines five inches long were painted just inside the edge of the half-moon crease. In 1998-1999 the size of the crease changed to extend just one foot beyond each post to a width of 8 feet.
What’s the Purpose of the Goalie Crease?
The goal crease is an area on the ice where only the goaltender may cover or freeze the puck to stop the play. It’s also used as a reference for goaltenders to help in their on-ice positioning and to properly cover the angles when making saves. In theory, it also protects the goalie as attacking players aren’t allowed to make physical contact with the netminder while he or she is in the crease.
Have the NHL Crease Rules Changed Over Time?
In 1991-92, the NHL disallowed goals if an attacking player had any part of their stick or body in the crease or on its border line when the puck entered the net. This rule was eliminated in 1999-2000 and players were allowed to enter the crease to play loose pucks that had entered the crease first.
In addition, if the puck passes through the goal crease when it has been shot down the ice from the opposing side of centre ice, icing will not be called. Also, if an altercation or fight breaks out anywhere on the ice outside of the crease the netminder must remain in the crease. If the goalie leaves the crease and joins in the altercation it will result in a two-minute minor penalty.
What are the Dimensions of the Goalie Crease?
The goal crease is currently eight feet in width with a semicircle implanted on the top section of it to give it an angular shape at the point furthest from the net rather than a rectangular shape. Since the net is six feet in width it means the crease area extends one foot past each goal post. The crease also extends out onto the ice a total of six feet at its deepest spot.
Read our related post “What are the Dimensions of a Regulation Size NHL Hockey Net?“
What Colour is the Goalie Crease?
The inside of the goal crease is light blue in color and is contained inside of red border lines which are two inches in width.
Does a Goal Count if a Players Skate is in the Crease?
In earlier years, a goal wouldn’t count if any part of a player’s skate was inside of the crease at any time. However, the rule was changed in 1999/2000 and an attacking player may now stand inside of the crease as long as they aren’t interfering with the goaltender and inhibiting their ability to make a save.
If a referee judges an attacking player to be interfering with a goalie in the crease when a goal is scored it will be disallowed. Also, on some occasions the attacking player may also be assessed a two-minute minor penalty for goalie interference. In international hockey, attacking players aren’t allowed to stand in the crease deliberately. If they do the referee will whistle the play dead.
Can a Defensive Player Cover the Puck in the Crease?
Defensive players aren’t allowed to grab, conceal or cover a puck in the goal crease to aid their netminder. If this occurs, the attacking team is awarded a penalty shot
Who is Allowed in the Crease?
An attacking player may skate through the goal crease as long as he or she isn’t interfering with the goaltender. In addition, a player may enter the crease to pursue a puck that is already inside of the crease.
Are Goalies allowed to Leave the Crease in Hockey?
Goaltenders are allowed to leave their crease area to play the puck behind the goal line in the trapezoid area. They may also play the puck or skate anywhere on the ice as long as they don’t cross the center-ice red line.
If they do it will result in a two-minute minor penalty. When goalies leave the crease or trapezoid areas and are handling the puck they’re opening themselves up to incidental contact from the opposition though.
Can a Goalie Cover the Puck Outside of the Crease?
Goalies aren’t allowed to leave their crease to simply cover a puck as a way to stop the play and get a whistle. If this occurs it will result in a two-minute minor penalty for delay of game. However, if a goaltender makes a save an ends up outside of the crease area, they’re allowed to cover the puck if opposing players are in close proximity and are attempting to play the puck.
If there are no attacking players in the vicinity when the netminder has the puck either inside or outside of the crease they are expected to keep the game in motion.
Read our related post “NHL Trapezoid Rule Explained” here.
Does the Crease Help the Goalie Stay in Position?
The blue paint of the crease makes it easier for netminders to position themselves as they usually know exactly where they are when looking down. The border lines of the crease also helps them position themselves when trying to cut down the angles when facing opposing shots.
What is the Referee’s Crease for in Hockey?
The referee’s crease is located on the ice directly in front of the penalty timekeeper and between the two penalty boxes at centre ice. This area is for officials only to review and discuss plays but players may enter it to speak with a referee or linesman if the official has given them permission to do so. If a player enters the crease without permission they may be assessed a 10-minute misconduct penalty.
How Big is the Referee Crease in Hockey?
The referee’s crease is a 10-foot area that is enclosed inside of a semicircle. The crease is on the other side of the rink from the team benches
Final Thoughts
The goal crease area has changed in shape and size over the years but it’s basically always been there to help protect goaltenders to some degree. The biggest experiment with the crease came in the 1990s when players weren’t allowed to go in it at all or place their sticks inside of it.
This resulted in a lot of chaos and the rule was eliminated in 1999. While the crease may once again undergo dimension changes in the future, it’s a hockey staple that will never disappear, just like the goal line.
Jamie is the founder of Hockey Response and he is the chief writer/ lead editor. Jamie has been playing hockey for over 20 years. He was the defenseman of the year in NL and has played Jr A level hockey. Jamie has coached several kids hockey camps and he was the assistant coach of the Western Kings.
