DOHOPs explains: When Goalie Interference occurs

Original text by Lyle Seitz from the video:
This week we're going to talk about the win2day ICE Hockey League goalie interference standard. Goalie interference occurs when an attacking player impairs or restricts the goalkeeper's ability to move freely within the crease or make a save, either through contact or positioning. This applies whether or not a goal is scored and can result in a penalty, disallow goal or both, depending on the situation.

There are two different interpretations that apply in reference to goalkeeper interference. First, is it a goal or not? And second, is it a penalty or not? The core standard for contact in the crease is if an attacking player makes any physical contact with the goalkeeper inside the goal crease and that contact prevents or hinders the goalkeeper from making a save, the goal is disallowed regardless of intent. Unless determined, the cause is the defensive team. Also, and too often forgotten, is a possible penalty for interference with the goalkeeper, which may also apply if contact is avoidable.

As this example shows, a 2-on-0 occurs as Vela gets in close and makes a play on the puck. His left skate contacts Dahm's pad inside the blue paint. Due to the fact the puck had not crossed the goal line prior to contact, the incident was correctly judged by the game officials in not allowing the goal. And the play is deemed incidental with regard to the puck, so no penalty is necessary.

The core standard for contact outside the crease. If a goalkeeper is outside the crease, they are never fair game. Incidental contact during a legitimate play for the puck may occur without a penalty. However, if an attacking player initiates avoidable or forceful contact, an interference penalty is to be called. The standard expects players to make every effort to avoid contact even outside the crease.
And the core standard for incidental contact. If an attacker is pushed or checked into the goalkeeper by a defending player, the goal and no penalty may be allowed, provided the attacker made every reasonable effort to avoid contact.

In this example, a chain reaction occurs when the goalkeeper freezes the puck. First occurrence, Saracino holding off slashing the goalie. Immediately following, Helewka comes in and for no apparent reason cross-checks Saracino to the back, propelling him directly at the goalkeeper. Helewka was the cause and due to the cross-check, this must be penalized. The second occurrence is immediately following a cross-check, Mantinger takes exception and skates in and hits Helewka on top of the goalkeeper. This also must be penalized. Thankfully, Cannata was not injured. But in these types of situations, there is a high risk to a goalkeeper and can be avoided by better player decisions. And if the players can't make better decisions, the game officials must be penalizing appropriately. Moving forward, the game situation guidance is as follows. Officials are instructed to protect the goalies inside the blue paint. Any impairment or contact must be judged strictly. Evaluate attacking player responsibility, whether the attacker had time or space to avoid contact.

In this example, Lebler chose a wide lane to drive the net. Responsibility with or without the puck is on the attacking player to avoid the goalkeeper contact. As the video shows, Lebler drives the crease area. He makes substantial and forceful contact with Pasquale. This was assessed as an interference penalty and rightly so.

In the win2day ICE Hockey League, as in other European and IHF government leagues, the standard for the slashing the goalie must be heightened to better protect goaltenders and maintain control around the crease. A slashing penalty against a goaltender must be called when a player makes any forceful or careless stick contact with a goalie's body, glove or stick, particularly in or around the crease area in a manner that's not a legitimate attempt to play a loose puck.

In this example, we can live with cheat stick actions as the puck was not covered at the time and the puck was initially moving and then sitting in front of four hours pad. As the second attacking player in, Erdely initially attempts to go for the puck. One, maybe two pokes can be accepted but by the third, fourth or fifth and the goalie has it covered in the blue paint, a slashing penalty must be assessed. We're all for puck battles but puck battles in the blue paint can't be when the goalkeeper has the puck covered.

The emphasis on the standard for the officials is strictly enforced. Use any stick contact of goalie's hands, arms or body while the goalie has possession or control of the puck and chops or wax on the goalkeeper's glove blocker, pads or stick after a save or freeze attempt. The purpose for the standard is to first, reduce unnecessary risk of injury or potential injury even to goalkeepers. Number two, deter post whistle scrums and protect crease integrity and lastly, support consistency across all teams and officials aligning with stick fouls.