Should Goalies be fair game outside of the crease?
I know that the rule is there to protect goalies, this is just a theoretical discussion if the rule wasn't there.
Personally, I don't think that goalies should be fair game outside the crease. Their job is to stop the puck (not to create any offensive/defensive opportunities for the team through checking/pushing the other team's forwards). If goalies were fair game, no one would want to really play that position.
It's kinda like saying you want to drive your car without your seat belt on (besides it being the law of course). You don't fully realize the consequences until something bad happens. Likewise, you don't really know what 'fair game' is, until your goalie gets injured from being 'fair game' (and your goalie may be the best player on your team).
But that's just my opinion.
__________________
Revenge is sweet... Revenge is a dish best served cold... Revenge is ice cream!
I know that the rule is there to protect goalies, this is just a theoretical discussion if the rule wasn't there.
Personally, I don't think that goalies should be fair game outside the crease. Their job is to stop the puck (not to create any offensive/defensive opportunities for the team through checking/pushing the other team's forwards). If goalies were fair game, no one would want to really play that position.
It's kinda like saying you want to drive your car without your seat belt on (besides it being the law of course). You don't fully realize the consequences until something bad happens. Likewise, you don't really know what 'fair game' is, until your goalie gets injured from being 'fair game' (and your goalie may be the best player on your team).
But that's just my opinion.
If their job is to stop the puck, then why are they out at the hash marks and beyond playing the puck as a defenseman would? Why are they running interference behind the goal? If a goalie skates to the side wall and makes a clearing up to a forward then he is in fact getting in on the offence and should be checkable.
Instead of a trapazoid, there should be a secondary crease that if the goalie leaves, he becomes fair game. We should not allow them to play as they do without consequence.
What is a guy like Lucic supposed to do? Just peel off and allow Miller to send the puck up the ice for an odd man break, I dont think so!
I'm usually not this opinionated but I think everyone that votes 'yes' is being an idiot. Unfortunately this will never be validated because the NHL or any other hockey league would never be stupid enough to implement this rule to show them just why it's such a bad idea.
That said, goalies can't be going this far:
Giving him a gentle nudge was the right play by hordichuk there
I'm usually not this opinionated but I think everyone that votes 'yes' is being an idiot. Unfortunately this will never be validated because the NHL or any other hockey league would never be stupid enough to implement this rule to show them just why it's such a bad idea.
That said, goalies can't be going this far:
Giving him a gentle nudge was the right play by hordichuk there
So, what does a forward do when a goalie does come out that far to play the puck as a defenseman?
If a goalie is pinching in the corner and overtly blocking your path, then sure, skate through him/knock him over. But lowering your shoulder and hitting a goalie like you would a skater should never be allowed.
If a goalie is pinching in the corner and overtly blocking your path, then sure, skate through him/knock him over. But lowering your shoulder and hitting a goalie like you would a skater should never be allowed.
I can agree with this. Which is to say, while I can't vote "yes" for this poll, I think goalies outside of the crease should be "movable objects".
Judging by Miller's interview, he was literally shocked by what Lucic did. Miller had a false sense of security - even entitlement, and thats why he got injured. Miller made a dumb choice, should the NHL protect people from making dumb choices?
If you want to protect goalies and if you want to increase scoring, stop goalies from running all over the ice and playing like a d-man - simple as that.
I think goalies can go out a little further then the crease without getting hit, but there should be a point where it's just too far and the goalie can get hit.
So, what does a forward do when a goalie does come out that far to play the puck as a defenseman?
Use their heads... and no not headbutt them...
There are other ways to pressure/defend a player/goalie while forechecking other than hitting.
That being said, in terms of goaltender contact when they are out that far, Hordichuk did minimize the contact while still getting a hit in so I'll give him credit there, looked much better than when he tried to hit Ballard this year...
What's a crease for anyway? What was the trapezoid for anyway? Nobody on the face of the planet can possibly convince me that a goalie going North of his crease isn't fair game.
What's a crease for anyway? What was the trapezoid for anyway? Nobody on the face of the planet can possibly convince me that a goalie going North of his crease isn't fair game.
this
why even have a crease if its basically meaningless?
how about, allow goalies to go into the trapezoidal area, but in there they are fair game?
It's the main reason I didn't have that much of a problem with what Lucic did with Miller. If you're a player skating after the puck with your head down expecting a clear path to the puck and all of a sudden a goalie is in your face, what are you supposed to do? As a player myself, I understand that in instances such as that, which happens in a split second, it is a natural instinct to brace yourself or prepare for a hit.
If goalies are going to cry about contact, stay in the crease where they should be protected.
It's the main reason I didn't have that much of a problem with what Lucic did with Miller. If you're a player skating after the puck with your head down expecting a clear path to the puck and all of a sudden a goalie is in your face, what are you supposed to do? As a player myself, I understand that in instances such as that, which happens in a split second, it is a natural instinct to brace yourself or prepare for a hit.
If goalies are going to cry about contact, stay in the crease where they should be protected.
I agree. Behind the net is fine but when a goalie comes why out in front what else is a skater supposed to do? I say they should be fair game out in front.
No. Until your teams loses its number one goaltender a week before the playoffs from a hit by a 4th liner, its easy to say yes. Goalies are off limits. Period.
No. Until your teams loses its number one goaltender a week before the playoffs from a hit by a 4th liner, its easy to say yes. Goalies are off limits. Period.
Then stay in the net? His job description is to stop pucks....you're not doing that behind the net or at the hash marks.
If you play the puck, make sure there's no forchecker right there or else stay in your net.
Then stay in the net? His job description is to stop pucks....you're not doing that behind the net or at the hash marks.
If you play the puck, make sure there's no forchecker right there or else stay in your net.
It's actually a pretty simple concept.
Actually it is. Don't touch the goaltender. Your version of hockey kinda reminds me of the old table top game that the goalie just moved from side to side and nothing else. In today's game, he's used to break up the fore check and to help get the puck out of your end faster. Also they play the most important position and you only have two. Sure, I see the desire to paste a goaltender, for years I've wanted someone to drill Brodeur because he was so damn good with the puck, it was like having a 3rd D man sitting back there.
