PP Strategy question

bgmaggot00 · Post by **bgmaggot00** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 1:04 am

OK, this has nothing to do with BG, but hockey in general.

If team A was on a 5 on 3 PP, would it be advantageous to pull the goalie to essentially turn it into a 6 on 3? What would the odds be of team B scoring a shorthanded (empty net) goal in said situation, with the numbers heavily stacked against them. Thanks a lot. This has been a wierd question thats been on my mind for a while. Thanks, Jeff

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 1:10 am

Considering the shorthanded team can ice the puck, all the shots at the empty net would be "freebies". It's not to say that wouldn't be possible in a last minute of the game situation where the goalie might be pulled, but I just don't think it's worth the risk, no matter how small that risk may be.

So, I guess to answer your question, it *could* be done, but it's not an incredibly smart thing to do.

goofyeuph · Post by **goofyeuph** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:15 am

You can pull the goalie anytime you want. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you could not start a goalie and have 6 attackers. However...90+% of the time it isn't a smart idea to play without a goalie. As TG pointed out, the short handed team doesn't have icing to worry about. Even if the math works out that every defender would have two attackers on him, that's not always the case, and the open man would take the first chance he could to get a free shot on net. I know it sounds like a good idea, but there are lots of things that seem like a good idea that really aren't.

pdt1081 · Post by **pdt1081** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:49 am

Also, a lot of times, the goalie will shoot the puck up the ice when it is cleared. This prevents another player from having to skate the entire length of the ice to get the puck.

**This scenario actually happened in the NCAA Championship game a few years ago. I believe it was the Denver vs Maine game. Neither team was able to score.

BGDrew · Post by **BGDrew** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:03 am

I'd love to see someone study how often a team is able to score with a pulled goalie. If I had to guess, I'd say it's around 10-15%.

View from Section F · Tue Dec 12, 2006 12:32 pm

Not a 5x3 but I thought this was pretty interesting, from http://www.uscho.com/recaps/20062007/m/12/08/rpi-qu.php

"With RPI down 4-1 early in the third period, the momentum shifted on an unconventional pull of the goaltender. With both teams having a man in the penalty box, the Engineers pulled Mathias Lange for the extra attacker with over 13 minutes remaining in the third period.

The call worked for RPI and head coach Seth Appert, as Seth Klerer blasted a shot in from in between the circles."

RPI went on to tie Quinnipiac 4-4.

jpfalcon09 · Post by **jpfalcon09** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 5:49 pm

It's generally only used when a team is desperate for a goal (late and down by one) or when they know an opposing team will not get quality chances such as on a 5-on-3 PP. Some coaches have been known to be daring about it though.

However, the drawback of an extra attacker is that it is seldomly practiced, and creates another body on the ice that could get in the way of a pass, shot or cause a turnover.