Shot on goal (ice hockey)
A shot on goal is any puck directed toward the net that would score if not stopped.
In ice hockey, a shot on goal occurs when a player directs the puck toward the net, and it either enters the net for a goal or is stopped by the goaltender, who is credited with a save. Shots that are deflected wide or blocked by an opponent are not counted as shots on goal; instead, they are recorded as blocked shots, with the blocker receiving a "blocked shot" and the shooter an "attempt blocked." Missed shots—those sailing wide or high of the net, or hitting the goalpost or crossbar without entering—also do not qualify as shots on goal. However, if a goaltender stops a puck that was heading wide or high anyway, it is still recorded as a shot on goal, and the goaltender gets credit for a save. An attempted shot that hits the pipe framing the goal mouth is not counted as a shot on goal unless the puck goes into the net without further contact from the shooting team.
A shot on net is defined as any touch of the puck toward the net that would result in a goal if not for the goaltender’s intervention. Blocked shots do not count. If a player shoots and the puck is tipped, only the tip counts as a shot; the original shot becomes a pass. Clearing attempts from the other team that end up on net should count as shots on goal, and most scorers will count them. Similarly, swatting a rebound toward the net counts as a shot on goal. In cases of partially blocked or tipped shots that were on net but are tipped off net, these are not counted as shots on goal because only the final touch is considered a shot, and that final touch sent the puck wide. Wrap-around and stuff attempts can be tricky: if a goaltender’s pad blocks a wrap-around before the puck reaches the net, causing it to slide across the crease instead of entering, it should not be regarded as a shot on goal.
- Shot on goal definition
- A shot that directs the puck towards the net and either goes in for a goal or is stopped by the goaltender for a save.
- Blocked shot credit
- The player who blocks the shot is credited with a 'blocked shot'.
- Attempt blocked credit
- The player who shoots the puck is credited with an 'attempt blocked'.
- Missed shot definition
- Shots that sail wide or high of the net, or hit the goalpost or crossbar but do not enter the net, are counted as 'missed shots'.
- Goaltender save credit
- If a goaltender stops a puck that is going wide or high anyway, it is recorded as a shot on goal and the goaltender gets credit for a save.
- Pipe hit rule
- An attempted shot that hits the pipe framing the goal mouth is not counted as a shot on goal, unless the puck goes into the goal without further contact from the team attempting the shot.
Lore & Background
The article describes a shot on goal as any touch of the puck towards the net that, if not for the goaltender intervening, would result in a goal. Blocked shots do not count; if a shot is tipped, only the tip counts as a shot, and the original shot becomes a pass. Clearing attempts from the other team that end up on net should be counted as shots on goal, and most scorers will count them. Swats at rebounds that send the puck toward the net also count as shots on goal.
In the case of a partially blocked shot or a tipped shot that was on net and is tipped off net, these are not supposed to be counted as shots on goal, as only the final touch is a shot and the final touch sent those pucks wide. Wrap arounds and stuff attempts can be an issue: if the goalie's pad blocks a wrap around before he gets around far enough, the puck goes across the crease instead of into the net, and therefore it should not be regarded as a shot on goal.
The article notes that shots that hit the goalpost or crossbar but do not enter the net are not counted as shots on goal; they are counted as missed shots. However, if a goaltender stops a puck that is going wide or high anyway, it is recorded as a shot on goal, and the goaltender gets credit for a save.
Reader's Guide
The shot on goal statistic is significant because it directly measures offensive attempts that require goaltender intervention or result in a goal. The article emphasizes that blocked shots, missed shots, and shots hitting the goalpost or crossbar are excluded, ensuring the stat reflects only genuine scoring threats. The rule that a goaltender stopping a puck going wide still counts as a shot on goal highlights the stat's reliance on the goaltender's action rather than the puck's trajectory. The article also clarifies that tipped shots and wrap arounds have specific criteria: only the final touch counts, and wrap arounds that are blocked before reaching the net are not shots on goal. This precision helps maintain consistency in scoring, though the article notes that some situations, like clearing attempts on net, are generally counted by most scorers. The legacy of this statistic is its role in evaluating both shooters and goaltenders, as it provides a clear measure of saves and scoring chances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly counts as a shot on goal in ice hockey?
A shot on goal is recorded when a player sends the puck toward the net and it either crosses the line for a goal or is stopped by the goaltender, who then earns a save. Any other outcome—being blocked, sailing wide, or hitting the frame—falls outside that definition.
Does hitting the post or crossbar count as a shot on goal?
No. A puck that strikes the goalpost or crossbar without crossing the goal line is logged as a missed shot, not a shot on goal. The same applies to pucks that fly wide or high of the net.
How are blocked shots recorded in the stats?
When an opponent intercepts a shot, the player who makes the block is credited with a 'blocked shot,' while the original shooter receives an 'attempt blocked.' Neither event is tallied as a shot on goal.
Who gets the credit when the goalie stops the puck?
The goaltender is credited with a save, and the shooter's effort is counted as a shot on goal. This is the only non-goal outcome that still qualifies as a shot on goal in the statistics.
Why do fans argue about whether a shot was 'on goal' or 'missed'?
The distinction matters because shots on goal feed into shooting percentage, while missed shots do not, so the classification can shift a player's efficiency numbers. The rulebook is strict: if the puck doesn't go in or the goalie doesn't stop it, it simply isn't a shot on goal.
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