What Is Empty Net In Hockey? Discover The Impact It Has On The Game

Hockey is a game that is loved by millions of fans all over the world. It is a sport that requires skill, speed, and strategy to win. To those who are new to hockey, certain terms may seem confusing or hard to understand. One such term is “Empty Net”.

In simple terms, an empty net in hockey refers to a situation where there is no goaltender present in the goal crease. It happens when a team pulls their goaltender out of the net to give themselves an extra attacker on the ice. This can happen either because they are trailing and need to score a goal or because time is running out and they need to tie the game.

The impact of an empty net in hockey can be quite significant. With an extra player on the ice, the team with possession has a better chance of scoring than if they had all six players on the ice. However, this also leaves them vulnerable to giving up a goal should they lose possession of the puck.

“An empty net can make or break a game depending on how it’s utilized. It adds another layer of excitement and tension in what is already an intense sport.”

Understanding the concept of an empty net in hockey is important not only to enjoy the game but also to appreciate the strategies used by teams during critical moments. In future games you watch or play, keep this terminology in mind as you follow your favorite team and experience the thrill of the game!

Definition of Empty Net

Hockey is a dynamic sport that requires precision, strategy, and quick thinking. Among its many unique features is the concept of an empty net – a situation in which one team pulls their goalie to gain an extra attacker on the ice.

What is an Empty Net?

In hockey, an empty net occurs when the goaltender of one team is pulled from the ice during play. This allows the team to gain another player who can attack and attempt to score against the opposing team. However, removing the goaltender also means that there is no one defending their own goal, leaving it completely unguarded.

The objective of pulling the goalie is to give the team with less than two minutes remaining enough time to score the tying goal or take the lead. Additionally, coaches may pull the goalkeeper earlier than usual if they have a power-play opportunity leading into the final moments of a game.

How is an Empty Net Created?

An empty net situation typically arises in the last few minutes of a close game when the trailing team needs to score a goal quickly in order to tie or win. The coach signals for the goalie to leave the ice while the other team has possession of the puck, creating an extra attacking position for the offensive team.

One example of how this might happen is when a team is losing by fewer than two goals with only a minute or two left in the game. At this point, the coach may signal for the goalie to leave the ice, hoping to stack the odds in favor of their team scoring at least once before the end of the game.

“Empty net situations are always exciting because they create high-stakes scenarios where either team could come out victorious. It’s a brilliant example of how strategic thinking and risk-taking can make all the difference in a game.” -John Scott, former NHL player

When is an Empty Net Used?

An empty net in hockey refers to the situation where a team pulls their goalie out of the goal, leaving it unguarded. This strategy is usually employed by the losing team trailing by one or two goals in the closing minutes of the game in an attempt to tie the score.

End of Game Scenarios

The most common scenario for using an empty net is when a team is losing towards the end of a game and wants to increase its offensive pressure. In such a situation, coaches often replace their goaltender with an extra attacker. By having six attackers against five defenders on the ice, they aim to create more scoring opportunities. The risk, however, is that if the other team gains possession of the puck, they have an open shot at the unguarded goal.

In such cases, possessing the puck becomes crucial for the offensive team as well as protecting the crease from potential empty-net goals by the defensive team. Taking calculated risks can be a good idea, but teams must know when to revert to proper defense tactics if they want to avoid conceding any unnecessary goals.

Power Play Advantage

Empty-net situations are also commonly used during power-play advantages when a player has been sent off due to penalties. A power play represents an advantage because the offending team has fewer players on the ice than usual. However, it increases the chances of the penalized team committing mistakes, which may ultimately lead to conceding a goal.

If the attacking team feels confident enough that they can maintain ball possession inside the offensive zone throughout the duration of the penalty, their coach might decide to pull the goalkeeper out and add another attacker on the ice. This move results in there being less chance of the defending team clearing or shooting the puck down to the empty net.

Trailing in Score

Pulling a goalie from the crease also occurs when a team is down by one or two goals. By eliminating their last line of defense, they can better concentrate on attacking efforts and push for an equalizer before time runs out.

It’s one way for teams to have an offensive advantage towards the closing stages of the game where another goal might be hard to come by. This strategy often leads to more excitement as the clock ticks closer to zero, sometimes resulting in multiple scoring opportunities that turn games into thrilling finishes.

Risk vs Reward

Pulling the goaltender is always considered risky but rewarding if executed correctly. The hope is that adding an extra attacker will pay off with a game-tying goal while preventing the opposite team from scoring any empty-net goals. But this move comes at a cost. A good opponent could quickly find themselves taking advantage of having full control over the puck because they know there are no defenders guarding their own net.

“Empty Net Goals Happen More Often Than You Think: 68 Times in 2019/2020 NHL Season” -Sporting News

Therefore, coaches must consider carefully before implementing such a strategy and pick their moments wisely. Executing this maneuver too early may result in a quick resolution for the opposing team. Similarly, waiting too long may mean not getting the desired results that you wanted.

Pulling the goalie creates some of the most exciting moments in hockey due to its mix of risk, reward, and drama. It’s a high-pressure situation that can either make someone a hero or leave everyone scratching their heads wondering “what if?”.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Empty Net

Pros of Empty Net

An “empty net” is a term used in ice hockey when the losing team removes their goalie to gain an extra skater on the ice. This strategy is usually employed during the final minutes of a game when the losing team needs to score quickly to tie or win the game. Here are some of the advantages of employing the empty net strategy:

• Increased offensive pressure: With an extra skater on the ice, the attacking team can put more pressure on the defense and increase its chances of scoring.
• Forcing the opposition: The presence of an extra skater will often cause the other team to play more conservative defensively, thereby opening up gaps in the defense that can be exploited by the attacking team.
• Momentum boost: Scoring a goal against the odds with an empty net can provide a huge momentum shift and can energize the attacking team to push harder for another goal.

Cons of Empty Net

Though there are potential advantages to the empty net strategy, there are also some clear disadvantages. Here are some of them:

• Increase risk of goals against: When a team removes their goaltender, they leave their net exposed to being scored on. If the opposing team gains control of the puck, they have a much higher chance of scoring as there is no one defending the net.
• Dangerous turnovers: In their effort to press forward and gain a goal with an extra attacker, teams can end up taking unnecessary risks with the puck, leading to dangerous turnovers which the opposing team can use to score.
• Fatigue and fitness: When a team decides to employ the empty net strategy, they will often need to play at an extremely high level of intensity for the remainder of the game. This can lead to fatigue and reduced effectiveness on both offense and defense.

“Arguably the biggest disadvantage is it leaves the net open for opponents to shoot into when they win possession. An attacking player who gets hold of the puck has no pressure from behind with which to contend.” -The Guardian

About whether or not to employ the empty net strategy, sports writer Peter Levi writes: “it’s a risky but potentially rewarding gambit that only really works if your players are calm, skillful, and unflappable in pressure situations.”

The empty net strategy is a calculated risk that involves removing a goaltender from the ice in order to gain an extra skater on the attack. While this tactic can provide opportunities for the attacking team to tie or win a game, there are also significant risks including allowing the opposition to score easily and increased pressure leading to turnovers and fatigue. Ultimately, teams must weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether or not to employ the empty net strategy in any given situation.

Strategies for Empty Net

Defensive Strategies

In hockey, an empty net occurs when the opposing team pulls their goalie to add an extra attacker on the ice. The defensive team must take proactive steps to protect their own net and prevent the other team from tying or winning the game. One common tactic is to rely on a strong forecheck in the neutral zone, keeping the puck away from the dangerous areas near the defensive zone. The defenders should prioritize clearing any loose pucks out of the zone as quickly as possible.

The players need to make sure they are positioning themselves properly. The center should stay back closer towards the neutral zone while the wingers’ focus should be on finding the shooter, protecting the boards and blocking any passing lanes which could lead to a goal-scoring opportunity for the opponents.

“When you get into those situations late in games where teams try to open it up, they try to put pressure on and generate scoring chances,”-Kyle Turris

Offensive Strategies

Empty-net opportunities offer some significant advantages to the attacking side if executed well. Since there is no goaltender in place, your team can attack with much more aggression and take shots whenever presented with an opening. Offensive players may also crowd around the opposing team’s net, creating multiple opportunities for rebounds and deflections.

If an attacking player finds himself in possession behind his team’s blue line, he might float a high shot toward the opponent’s open goal rather than risking a turnover by moving forward through traffic. In addition to that, coaches will tell their wingers to keep control of the puck against the boards and wait until the defense leaves a gap before attempting to score.

“You don’t throw everything out of the window defensively just because you have a chance to score an empty-net goal,” -Mike Yeo

Neutral Zone Strategies

The neutral zone is the area between both blue lines on either side of a hockey rink. In this zone, players from both sides often battle for control of the puck before entering the opponent’s defensive zone. When defending an empty net, players must prioritize controlling the neutral zone and denying easy entry for the opposing offense.

In terms of strategy, defensemen need to be vigilant while keeping an eye out for their counterparts breaking free down the ice towards the empty goal. Wingers should always keep themselves in position to take advantage of any turnovers – focused largely on blocking passes via the boards or through the middle.

“It’s all about possession of the puck, so there are times when we will hold onto it instead of dumping it in.” -Paul MacLean

Notable Empty Net Goals in NHL History

In hockey, an empty net refers to the situation when a team pulls their goaltender and plays with six skaters on the ice instead of five. This is usually done in the final minutes of a game when a team is down by one or two goals and needs to score to tie or win.

The strategy of pulling the goalie can be risky because if the opposing team gains possession of the puck, they have a clear shot at the open net without a goaltender to defend it. However, sometimes this decision pays off and results in some memorable empty net goals. Here are four notable empty net goals in NHL history:

Wayne Gretzky’s Record Breaking Goal

On October 15, 1989, Wayne Gretzky scored his 1,851st career point during an empty net goal while playing for the Los Angeles Kings against the Edmonton Oilers. This broke Gordie Howe’s record for most points in NHL history. Gretzky went on to earn a total of 2,857 points throughout his career, solidifying his status as one of the greatest hockey players of all time.

“We’d been looking forward to that road trip — we wanted him to break it on the road,” said Gretzky’s teammate Luc Robitaille. “Then, obviously, he had a great game.”

Patrick Roy’s Goalie Goal

Pulling the goalie is not just a tactic reserved for desperate times – sometimes it can even lead to a goalie scoring a goal! On December 26, 1995, Patrick Roy of the Montreal Canadiens became the first goaltender in NHL history to score a game-winning goal during an empty net situation. His team was leading 4-2 against the Detroit Red Wings when Roy had the opportunity to take a shot at the empty net and managed to hit the mark.

“You dream of how you might get your first career goal. It was not like that,” Roy jokingly said afterwards. “But it does feel good.”

Jonathan Quick’s Series Winning Goal

In 2013, Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings scored an empty net goal during Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the St. Louis Blues. While this was just a regular season game, the goal was still significant because it marked one of the rare occasions when a goaltender scored in the playoffs.

“I’ll never forget it, that’s for sure,” Quick said after his historic moment. “It’s something that doesn’t happen often, so I’m thankful for it.”

Alex Ovechkin’s Milestone Goal

Alex Ovechkin is known for his incredible scoring abilities, but he may be most proud of his 700th career goal which he scored on February 22, 2020, with an empty netter versus the New Jersey Devils. However, what made this milestone even more special is the fact that he became just the eighth player in NHL history to score 700 or more goals.

“Obviously it’s a special moment,” Ovechkin said afterward. “Not everyone gets there.”

Frequently Asked Questions