When does a goal count in ice hockey?
B · Beginner · The game · 4 of 10A goal counts when the whole puck crosses the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar, with the net in place. It is disallowed if kicked with a distinct kicking motion, batted in by hand, struck above the crossbar, or deflected in off an official. Up to two assists go to the teammates who touched the puck before the scorer.
How it works
- Scoring: the puck entirely across the line between the posts, below the crossbar.
- Net in place: the frame counts as in place while the pegs are still partly in their holes.
- Off a skate: allowed if there is no distinct kicking motion.
- Off the body: a puck deflected in off an attacking player counts; one batted in deliberately does not.
- High stick: no goal if the puck touched the stick above the crossbar.
- Off an official: no goal if it goes directly in off an on-ice official.
- Goalkeeper interference: no goal if an attacker impaired the goalkeeper in the crease.
- Own goals: credited to the last attacker to touch the puck.
- Assists: at most two, to players who touched the puck before the scorer with no defender playing it in between.
The glossary has the goal, the assist, the goal crease, the video review, the high-sticking the puck and the kicking.
Tricky cases
The puck goes in off a forward's skate as they turn. Goal?
Yes, if there was no distinct kicking motion.
A defender knocks the puck into their own net. Who gets the goal?
The last attacking player who touched the puck.
The puck hits the crossbar and bounces down onto the line. Goal?
Only if the whole puck crosses the line. Video review can check this where it is used.
A forward bats the puck in with a glove. Goal?
No. A goal cannot be scored by batting or directing the puck in with the hand.
Why the rule exists
Requiring the stick, not a kick or a hand, keeps scoring a test of stickhandling and shooting. Video review exists because pucks cross the line too fast to see.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring a goal | Whole puck over the line | IIHF 78.4 |
| Disallowed goals | Thirteen listed reasons | IIHF 78.5 |
| Kicked puck | Distinct kicking motion | IIHF 37.4, 49.2 |
| Fouled with an open net | Fouled player credited with an awarded goal | IIHF 33.2 (2026/27) |
From the rule book
International Ice Hockey Federation, Official Rulebook 2026/27 (version 1.0, June 2026), Rules 33.2, 37.4, 49.2, 67.6, 78 and 80.3. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IIHF Official Rulebook, revised each season.