Regel 69: Interference on the Goalkeeper

This rule is based on the premise that an attacking Player’s position, whether inside or outside the Goal Crease, should not, by itself, determine whether a goal should be allowed or disallowed. In other words, goals scored while attacking Players are standing in the Goal Crease may, in appropriate circumstances, be allowed. Goals should be disallowed only if:

(I) an attacking Player, either by their positioning or by a "relevant contact”, impairs the Goalkeeper’s ability to move freely within their Goal Crease or defend their goal; or

(II) an attacking Player initiates intentional or deliberate contact with a Goalkeeper, inside or outside of their Goal Crease.

“Incidental contact” with a Goalkeeper will be permitted, and resulting goals allowed, when such contact is initiated outside of the Goal Crease, provided the attacking Player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact.

For purposes of this rule, “contact / relevant contact” whether "incidental or otherwise", shall mean any contact that is made between or among a Goalkeeper and attacking Player(s), whether by means of a stick or any part of the body. The overriding rationale of this rule is that a Goalkeeper should have the ability to move freely within their Goal Crease without being hindered by the actions of an attacking Player.

If an attacking Player enters the Goal Crease and, by their actions, impairs the Goalkeeper’s ability to defend their goal, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.

If an attacking Player is in the Goal Crease and does not leave immediately, the Referee has the possibility to stop the game and the subsequent “face-off” shall take place at the nearest Neutral Zone Face-off Spot outside the Attacking Zone of the offending Team.

If an attacking Player has been pushed, shoved, or fouled by a defending Player so as to cause them to come into contact with the Goalkeeper, such contact will not be deemed contact initiated by the attacking Player for purposes of this rule, provided the attacking Player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact.

If a defending Player has been pushed, shoved, or fouled by an attacking Player so as to cause the defending Player to come into contact with their own Goalkeeper, such contact shall be deemed contact initiated by the attacking Player for purposes of this rule, and if necessary, a penalty assessed to the attacking Player and if a goal is scored it would be disallowed.

In all cases in which an attacking Player initiates “intentional or deliberate” contact with a Goalkeeper, whether or not the Goalkeeper is inside or outside the Goal Crease, and whether or not a goal is scored, the attacking Player will receive a penalty (Minor or Major, as the Referee deems appropriate). In all cases where the infraction being imposed is to the attacking Player for hindering the Goalkeeper’s ability to move freely in their Goal Crease, the penalty to be assessed is for “Goalkeeper interference”.
In exercising their judgment, the Referee should give more significant consideration to the degree and nature of the relevant contact with the Goalkeeper than to the exact location of the Goalkeeper at the time of the contact.

If an attacking Player initiates "a relevant contact" with a Goalkeeper, incidental or otherwise, while the Goalkeeper is in their Goal Crease, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.

If a Goalkeeper, in the “act of establishing their position” within their Goal Crease, initiates contact with an attacking Player who is in the Goal Crease, and this results in an impairment of the Goalkeeper’s ability to defend their goal, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.

If, after any contact by a Goalkeeper who is attempting to establish position in their Goal Crease, the attacking Player does not immediately vacate their current position in the Goal Crease (i.e., give ground to the Goalkeeper), and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed. In all such cases, whether or not a goal is scored, the attacking Player will receive the appropriate penalty for Goalkeeper “interference”.

If an attacking Player establishes a “significant position” within the Goal Crease, so as to obstruct the Goalkeeper’s vision and impair their ability to defend their goal, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.
For this purpose, a Player “establishes a significant position within the crease” when, in the Referee’s judgment, their body, or a substantial portion thereof, is within the Goal Crease for more than an instantaneous period of time.

If an attacking Player initiates any "relevant contact" with a Goalkeeper, other than “incidental contact”, while the Goalkeeper is outside their Goal Crease, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.

A Goalkeeper is not “fair game” just because they are outside the Goal Crease. The appropriate penalty should be assessed in every case where an attacking Player makes “unnecessary contact” with the Goalkeeper.

However, “incidental contact” will be permitted when the Goalkeeper is in the act of playing the puck outside their Goal Crease provided the attacking Player has made a “reasonable effort” to avoid such unnecessary contact.

When a Goalkeeper has played the puck outside of their Goal Crease and is then prevented from returning to their Goal Crease area due to the deliberate actions of an attacking Player, such Player may be penalized for “Goalkeeper interference”.

Similarly, the Goalkeeper may be penalized, if by their actions outside of their Goal Crease they deliberately interfere with an attacking Player who is attempting to play the puck or an opponent.

...

Whenever the Referee stops play to disallow a goal as a result of “relevant contact” with the Goalkeeper (incidental or otherwise), the resulting “face-off” shall take place at the nearest Neutral Zone Face-off Spot outside the Attacking Zone of the offending Team.

In a rebound situation, or where a Goalkeeper and attacking Player(s) are simultaneously attempting to play a loose puck, whether inside or outside the Goal Crease, “incidental contact” with the Goalkeeper will be permitted, and any goal that is scored as a result thereof will be allowed.

In the event a Goalkeeper has been pushed into the net together with the puck by an attacking Player after making a stop, the goal will be disallowed. If applicable, appropriate penalties will be assessed.

If, however, in the opinion of the Referee, the attacking Player was pushed or otherwise fouled by a defending Player causing the Goalkeeper to be pushed into the net together with the puck, the goal can be permitted.

In the event the puck is under a Player in or around the Goal Crease area (deliberately or otherwise), a goal cannot be scored by pushing this Player together with the puck into the goal. If applicable, the appropriate penalties will be assessed, including a “Penalty Shot” if deemed to be covered in the Goal Crease deliberately.
→ Rule 63 – Delaying the Game

If deemed appropriate, Supplementary Discipline can be applied by the Proper Authorities at their discretion.
→ Rule 28 – Supplementary Discipline