The NHL needs to make some changes in how they handle goaltender interference. Essentially, any team can take a free shot on the opposing goalie if they just scored.
The issue here is how interference is handled if it occurs after a goal is scored. If the goalie is run before, a penalty can be called. If the puck crosses the line then we see contact, how should it be handled? They can't negate the goal because that would mean they are taking away a goal scored legitimately based off of actions that happen later.
The obvious call to me would be to count the goal and call a penalty. The idea is that the goal was scored without any wrongdoing, but the scoring team committed an infraction after the play was dead.
Unfortunately, officials don't see things the same way. I don't think I have ever seen a run on the goalie penalized when the contact has come after the goal. Perhaps officials feel that the call would raise questions regarding the legitimacy of the goal.
The real problem with this quirk relates to some of the more embarrassing teams. I have seen plays where players try to hit goalies hard simply because they know they will get away with it. Dirtier teams might even try to get an injury out of these plays.
Even if it is insufficient to negate a goal, players should not have their goals rewarded with a free shot on a goaltender. This is something that the NHL needs to change.
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