From making flashy saves on a breakaway to stopping shots over 100 miles per hour, the goaltender in ice hockey has one main responsibility: keeping pucks out of the goal. Often referred to simply as a goalie, the player in this position has a big say over the outcome of a game. Goalies are drastically different than any other player on the ice.
Equipment
Goalies are heavily padded, as they have to attempt to stop pucks traveling upward of 100 miles per hour. Technology in padding allows flexibility and range of motion without sacrificing protection. Goalies wear leg pads, a jock strap, a chest protector, a special mask, and a pad and special glove on their non-dominant hand. Goalie leg pads in the National Hockey League must not be larger than 11 inches wide by 38 inches tall, and come about 3 inches above the knee. The goalie also carries a stick that is taller than regular sticks as it is used to block shots.
The Crease
The light blue area in front of hockey goals is referred to as the crease, which is the place where the goalie stands during play. The crease is a semi-circle with a radius of 5.9 feet, and the goalie cannot be interfered with when they are standing in the crease. Offensive players may not willingly enter the crease, but may stand in front to shield the goalie's view.
Duties
The main duty of the goalie is to stop the puck from entering the goal. Most goalies stand in a squat with their knees bent inward. This is done so that they take up as much space as possible in front of the net, and can drop down to their knees to stop low shots quicker. Goalies wear a glove on one hand to protect one side of the net, and hold a stick in the other hand to protect the opposite side and between their legs. The goalie also uses the stick to distribute pucks that come near the net to players on his team.
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