Shot on goal (ice hockey)
A shot on goal is any puck directed toward the net that would score if not saved.
A shot on goal in ice hockey is a shot that directs the puck toward the net and either results in a goal or is stopped by the goaltender for a save. Shots that are deflected wide, blocked by an opponent, or miss the net entirely are not counted as shots on goal; blocked shots are recorded separately, and missed shots include those that sail wide or high or hit the goalpost or crossbar without entering the net. If a goaltender stops a puck that would have gone wide or high anyway, it is still recorded as a shot on goal, and the goaltender receives credit for a save.
- 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'; the shooter is credited with an 'attempt blocked'.
- Missed shot criteria
- Shots that sail wide or high of the net, or hit the goalpost or crossbar without entering, are counted as 'missed shots'.
- 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.
- Tip rule
- If a shot is tipped, only the tip counts as a shot; the original shot becomes a 'pass'.
- Clearing attempt rule
- If a clearing attempt from the other team ends up on net, it should be a shot on goal.
- Wrap around rule
- If the goalie's pad blocks a wrap around before the puck goes into the net, it should not be regarded as a shot on goal.
Lore & Background
The definition of a shot on goal has been refined to distinguish it from other types of shots. A shot that is deflected wide or blocked by an opponent does not count; instead, it is recorded as a blocked shot, with the blocker credited and the shooter given an 'attempt blocked'. Shots that miss the net entirely—whether wide, high, or hitting the goalpost or crossbar—are counted as missed shots, not shots on goal. However, if a goaltender stops a puck that was heading wide or high anyway, it is still counted as a shot on goal, and the goaltender gets credit for a save.
Reader's Guide
The concept of a shot on goal is central to evaluating offensive pressure and goaltender performance in ice hockey. It provides a standardized metric for comparing scoring chances across games and seasons. The rules governing what counts as a shot on goal are precise: only shots that would enter the net if not for the goaltender's intervention are included. Blocked shots, missed shots, and shots hitting the goal frame are excluded, ensuring that the statistic reflects only genuine threats on net. This distinction is important for scoring, as clearing attempts that end up on net are counted, while wrap-around attempts that are blocked by the goaltender's pad before reaching the net are not. The shot on goal statistic remains a fundamental measure of a team's offensive output and a goaltender's workload.
Did You Know?
- A shot that hits the goalpost or crossbar but does not enter the net is counted as a missed shot, not a shot on goal.
- When a shot is tipped, only the tip counts as a shot; the original shot becomes a 'pass'.
- A clearing attempt from the other team that ends up on net should be counted as a shot on goal.
More in Ice Hockey Terminology, Part 2 1-24
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