Ice Hockey
Ice hockey goalkeepers and substitutions: changes, extra attackers and empty nets
Goalkeepers are specialists, but they are still part of a team’s on-ice player count and substitution strategy. This guide explains the goalkeeper’s role, line changes, pulling the goalkeeper for an extra skater and what happens during a delayed penalty call.
The goalkeeper and full strength
At full strength a team has six players on the ice, normally five skaters and one goalkeeper. The goalkeeper protects the goal with specialised equipment, while the skaters fill forward and defensive roles.
How substitutions work
Players can be substituted during play as part of a line change or during a stoppage under the applicable change procedure. A goalkeeper substitution after a stoppage uses the same time frame as a regular line change; no extra change time is added unless the goalkeeper is injured.
Pulling the goalkeeper
A team may remove its goalkeeper and send on an extra skater. This creates an extra attacker but leaves the goal unguarded, so an opponent can score an empty-net goal if it gains the puck and sends it into the open net.
Delayed penalty calls
The non-offending team may also pull its goalkeeper for an extra skater during a delayed penalty call. Play continues while that team retains possession, and the referee stops play when the offending team gains control so the penalty can be assessed.