2011 Stanley Cup Finals
Out of context: Reply #57
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- pastpastdue0
I loved Tim Thomas's hit. Thought it was great and timely. A goalie is allowed to hit, just as any other player is allowed to. You can also hit the goalie should he leave the crease. Technically, you can hit a goalie in the crease should there be some crazy circumstance where he is handling the puck, but you can't hit him if he is trying to make a save, get position, etc. thus, goalie interference.
The crease exists to provide sanctity for a goalie to make saves. It's not like you don't see players chopping at goalies when they are covering the puck. The only thing outlined in any rulebook is using it as an area to define what constitutes as preventing goaltenders from making saves around the net. What I would say is, try to find anything in the NHL rule book that defines what Thomas did as illegal.
It's not interference because Sedin had possession of the puck. He is attempting to handle it. To say he didn't really have possession of the puck is off. He was trying to drop it down to his stick to handle it. You don't have to have the puck to get hit, regardless. How many times in a game do players sacrifice their body to make the right pass? Tons, and usually, when they get hit, it is right after they get rid of the puck.
- C'mon, cut me a break. I'm a hockey nerd and also used to be a referee.pastpastdue
- you can't hit a goalie in the crease OR out.eegrek