Hockey is full of fast breaks, crisp passing, powerful slapshots, and highlight-reel moments. But every now and then, something happens that takes even seasoned fans by surprise—the puck ends up in the wrong net. Own goals are one of the rarest and most bizarre events in the sport, often leading to stunned crowds, confused players, and plenty of replay reviews. Even though they don’t happen often, the rule behind them is crystal clear and has existed for decades.
This article breaks down how the own goal rule works, why it’s uncommon, and the situations that make these accidental scores possible. It’s one of those quirks in the rulebook that reminds everyone that in hockey, anything can happen.
What Is an Own Goal in Hockey?
An own goal occurs when a defending team accidentally directs the puck into its own net. Players don’t typically score on themselves intentionally—instead, own goals result from misplays, redirects, blocked passes gone wrong, and awkward deflections.
But there’s a twist:
The goal is credited to the last attacking player who touched the puck, not the defender who accidentally directed it into the net.
This means a forward who dumped the puck deep 15 seconds earlier may suddenly see their name light up on the scoreboard because a defender mishandled the puck under pressure.
The Key Parts of the Rule
1. The puck must enter the defending team’s net due to the action of a defending player.
2. The last offensive player to touch the puck receives credit for the goal.
3. No defensive player is recorded as scoring—it’s simply a goal for the other team.
This aligns with longstanding NHL scoring principles.
Why Own Goals Are So Rare
Despite the speed and unpredictability of hockey, own goals almost never happen. Several factors help keep these mishaps to a minimum.
1. Goalie Awareness
Goaltenders track even the strangest puck movements. They anticipate deflections, broken plays, and unexpected bounces. Most accidents don’t catch them completely off guard.
2. Defensive Structure
Players are trained to avoid directing the puck toward the slot or crease. Defensive systems revolve around:
• Board play
• Safe rim exits
• Containment instead of risky motion around the crease
These habits reduce dangerous moments.
3. Modern Coaching Emphasis on Stick Positioning
Stick positioning remains one of the most important defensive fundamentals. Players are trained to keep their blade in the passing lane and control the inside edge—especially between the dots—to disrupt attacks. Depending on the system, this might mean angling the blade toward the boards or sealing off the middle with a flat stick. The purpose is preventing redirections toward the crease, not creating them. That awareness dramatically reduces the chance of directing a puck into one’s own net.
4. Quick Decisions and Simple Clears
“Off the glass and out” continues to be one of the safest defensive plays. Players under pressure rely on high-percentage choices instead of risky passes through the middle, cutting down the odds of awkward deflections.
Common Scenarios That Lead to Own Goals
Even with all the structure, training, and awareness in the world, hockey still finds ways to surprise players. These are the most frequent situations where own goals come to life.
1. Deflected Clearing Attempts
A defender tries to sweep a loose puck out of danger, but the blade angles a degree too far inward. One tiny change in stick angle can send the puck straight toward the net.
2. Errant Passes Behind the Net
Drop passes or reversals meant for defensive partners can go wrong due to miscommunication or line changes. The puck may slide dangerously toward the crease before anyone can react.
3. Broken Sticks
When a stick snaps during a pass or clear, the puck can flutter unpredictably. Even a routine motion can turn chaotic, especially near the slot.
4. Pressure on Delayed Penalties
During a delayed penalty, the defending team must maintain possession until the whistle blows. Because the goalie typically leaves the net for an extra attacker, the net sits empty. A mishandled puck—such as a misfired pass, an accidental collision, or a bouncing puck off the boards—may roll or deflect into the open net. Under NHL Rule 15.1, if the defending team inadvertently directs the puck into its own empty net during the delayed penalty, the attacking team is awarded the goal, credited to the last offensive player who touched the puck before the defenders gained control.
5. Shot Block Deflections
A defender stepping into a shooting lane may unintentionally redirect the puck with the shaft, blade, skate, or shin pad. Because deflections can completely alter the puck’s speed and direction, these moments can surprise both defenders and goalies, sometimes resulting in the puck finding its way into the wrong net.
Momentum Swings and the Emotional Impact
Hockey is driven by rhythm and momentum. An own goal almost always creates a psychological wave on both benches.
For the Defending Team
• Coaches push for immediate composure.
• Players rally around whoever was involved.
• Resetting mentally becomes the priority.
For the Attacking Team
• They gain a burst of energy.
• Their forecheck often intensifies.
• The momentum shift can lead to strong follow-up shifts.
Own goals rarely decide games by themselves, but they often become turning points.
Why The Rule Credits the Last Offensive Player
Hockey doesn’t use “own goal” statistics like soccer. Instead, the sport emphasizes the flow of offensive play and simplifies scoring by giving credit to the last attacking player.
Under official rule interpretation:
• The attacking team initiated the pressure or puck movement.
• Statistics remain consistent and clean.
• Defenders aren’t penalized statistically for accidental redirections.
• Goal scoring records stay intact.
This philosophy has been part of the sport for generations.
Historic and Memorable Own Goals
Over the years, the NHL and international leagues have seen a handful of unforgettable own goals. These often involve:
• Clearing attempts gone wrong
• Miscommunication between defenders
• Goalie-handling miscues behind the net
• Chaotic puck bounces off stanchions or skates
Every example reinforces the idea that hockey’s unpredictability is part of its charm.
Final Buzzer
Own goals might be rare, but they highlight the precision, speed, and instinct-driven nature of hockey. A single miscue—a bad angle, a weird bounce, a missed communication—can turn into a moment fans never forget. Understanding the rule and its nuances helps players and fans appreciate how finely tuned the game really is.
From odd deflections to high-pressure mistakes, the own goal rule adds another layer of drama to a sport built on split-second decisions.
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