Where Can Goalies Play The Puck In Ice Hockey?

The size of an ice hockey rink in North America (NHL) measures 200ft by 85ft. It is slightly wider for IIHF and other international games. However, ice hockey goalies are not allowed to play the puck anywhere on the ice. Apart from their designated position (in front of the goal net), there is a limit to how far goalies can move in ice hockey.

Sections Of The Ice The Goalie Is Allowed To Play The Puck

Ice hockey goalies are allowed to play the puck from the red goal line to the red center line and inside the trapezoid.

• Red Goal Line to Center Line
  Goalies in ice hockey are allowed to play the puck from the red goal line all the way to the red center line on their side of the ice. This means they are not allowed to play the puck or even tackle any player once they cross the red center line into the section of the ice of the opposing team.
  
  If a goalie breaks this rule he will be given a two-minute penalty. However, since a goalie can not serve penalty time, a player from his team will be sent to the penalty box in his place giving the opposing team a power play.
  
  In present-day ice hockey, this rule is uncommon as it is almost never given. This is because goalies do not go too far from the goalie crease. However, it is very probable that earlier in ice hockey, goalies played the puck over the red center line into the opponent’s side of the ice.

• Inside The Trapezoid
  Apart from the red goal line to the red center line, the only place goaltenders are allowed to play the puck is inside the trapezoid at the back of the goal line. Check out pictures and more information on the trapezoid in ice hockey.

Sections Of The Ice The Goalie Cannot Play The Puck

There are two sections on the ice where ice hockey goaltenders are not allowed to play the puck. The first is beyond the center goal line and the second is at the back of the goal line.

• Center Line Into Opponents Side Of The Ice
  From the red center line, all the way to the end of the rink at the opposing team’s side of the ice is off-limit for goalies in ice hockey. As mentioned earlier, they are not allowed to play ice hockey in any way over the red center line.
  
  This means they can not touch the puck, or even bodycheck an opponent. However, if there is a stoppage, they can move up to the other side of the ice. 

• Area Behind The Goal Line
  Goalies in ice hockey are not allowed to go play the puck behind the goal line excluding the trapezoid. This rule was due to the influence of certain goaltenders who were very good at stickhandling around the goal net.

Reason For Goalie Restriction On The Ice 

The restriction of goalies on an ice rink gives room for a better offensive attack. A good example is the rule that disallows goalies from playing the puck behind the net (the trapezoid rule).

Before the inception of the trapezoid rule, goalies were fond of going behind the net to retrieve the puck especially if it was dumped in. This means that goalies can easily give the puck to a defense who can then move on to an offensive style of play. 

Although it was a good defense strategy, it made the game boring and reduced the offensive vibrancy in games. 

Also, it is better for goalies not to be able to cross the red center line. This is because ice hockey rules favor goalies to the extent that a penalty is given if an opposing player bodycheck or hit a goalie.

A  goalie going into the red zone might be prone to get hit and this will lead to fights about players and penalties if the goalie is bodychecked.

Disadvantage Of Goalies Playing The Puck

The disadvantage of any goalie leaving the net is an empty net goal. Once a goalie is not guarding the net, ice hockey players can easily obtain a goal by shooting the puck to any space in the net. 

There is only so much players can do to protect the puck in situations like this. 

Conclusion

Goalies are the most protected players in ice hockey and their position is the most difficult. Ice hockey goalies determine if a game will be won or lost and if they commit any error is it obvious to everyone on the ice.

Thanks for reading.