If you are new to hockey, you will be hearing the term “shot on goal” or “shot on net” often. But what is a shot on goal? And what is the common misconception about what constitutes a shot on goal?
Shot on goal definition
The official definition of a shot on goal (NHL) is: “If a player shoots the puck with the intention of scoring and if that shot would have gone in the net had the goaltender not stopped it, the shot is recorded as a ‘shot on goal.'”
There are only 2 times when a shot is considered a shot on goal/shot on net:
- If the puck goes into the goal.
- If the puck would have gone into the goal had the goaltender not stopped it.
What is not a shot on goal?
The two times that come to mind when someone thinks something is a shot on goal, but it isn’t:
- If the puck hits the frame of the goal (crossbar or posts) and does not go in, or would not have gone in.
- If the goalie saves the puck but the puck would not have gone in the goal otherwise (for instance, they are out to the side of the goal, outside of their crease).
