The Trapezoid

The NHL needs to learn that scoring does not reflect the speed of hockey. I have seen goals scored as the result of the league’s decision to add the trapezoid behind the nets, but this change has undoubtedly slowed the game down. The idea behind the trapezoid is to keep the goalie from playing the puck in certain parts of the ice. The league figured that if they restricted puck-handling goalies, it would encourage players to forecheck.

The rule is worded awkwardly. If a goalie plays the puck behind the goal line and the puck is not inside the trapezoid, the referee is supposed to assess a delay of game penalty. A better way to look at it is that the goalie is not allowed to play the puck in the corners of the ice.

The most exciting goals that I have seen don’t involve the puck sitting in a corner waiting for a player to pick it up. If the defense doesn’t catch up, this can lead to a decent scoring opportunity. The problem is that we have to wait for it. I would much rather see the goalie leave his net and keep the game moving. Fortunately, some goalies have adapted. They leave the net and play the puck before it reaches the corners of the rink. Since the rule slows the game down and is called inconstantly, I’m ready for the league to admit that introducing the trapezoid was a mistake.