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Over the course of every hockey season -- and, inevitably, during the Stanley Cup playoffs -- there are controversial situations where players make contact with a goaltender around the net on a play where the puck crosses the goal line. It's going to happen again in this this year's playoffs, guaranteed. These situations inevitably cause confusion among fans, and the confusion is often made worse by television announcers who don't know the Rulebook as well as they think they do.
Is it a goal? No goal? Should there be a goaltender interference penalty called on the attacking player in addition to the goal being disallowed?
It all depends on the exact circumstances of what happened on the play. The NHL Rules for these situations (Rule 69) are rather ambiguous in how they define terms like "incidental contact" -- this is left up to the discretion of the on-ice officials -- but there are protocols for how each different type of situation should be properly ruled.
Want to test your knowledge of the ruling protocols for some of the many different types of scenarios that can arise? Decide on what the correct ruling on each situation should be. You can check your answers in tomorrow's blog.
1. With the goalie inside his crease, an attacking player makes incidental contact with the goalie at the same time the puck is about to enter the net.
2. With the goalie just outside his crease, an attacking player makes incidental contact with the goalie at the same time the puck is about to enter the net.
3. An attacking player has been pushed toward the goalkeeper by a defending player, careening heavily into the goaltender as the puck is about to enter the net.
4. An attacking player has been pushed into the goalkeeper by a defender, attempting and failing to twist out of the way to avoid contact, and the puck enters the net.
5. A defending player has been pushed into the goaltender by an attacker, making incidental contact with the goaltender as a goal is about to be scored.
6. There is a loose puck around the net, and an attacking player makes incidental contact with the goalie in the crease as both are attempting to play a loose puck.
7. An attacking player, remaining in constant motion skates through the width of crease, does make contact with the goalkeeper but impedes the goalie's freedom of movement to go across and attempt a save.
8. An attacking player sets up a screen by standing in a stationary position on the crease line. The goalie's vision is impaired and the puck goes into the net.
9. With an attacking player inside the crease, the goaltender initiates contact with the opposing player as the goalie tries to get squared for the shot. The attacking player vacates the position immediately and the puck simultaneously enters the net.
10. A goalie initiates contact with an attacking player to establish position in the crease by hitting the opponent in the back of his helmet with his blocker. The opposing player vacates the crease immediately at the time a goal is scored.
Enjoy the opening night of the Stanley Cup playoffs, everyone.
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Paul Stewart holds the distinction of being the first U.S.-born citizen to make it to the NHL as both a player and referee. On March 15, 2003, he became the first American-born referee to officiate in 1,000 NHL games.
Today, Stewart is an officiating and league discipline consultant for the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and serves as director of hockey officiating for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).
The longtime referee heads Officiating by Stewart, a consulting, training and evaluation service for officials. Stewart also maintains a busy schedule as a public speaker, fund raiser and master-of-ceremonies for a host of private, corporate and public events. As a non-hockey venture, he is the owner of Lest We Forget.
Stewart is currently working with a co-author on an autobiography.
Blogger •Former NHL Referee • 
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