Why does the IIHF use a different crease shape?

[meangene]

Why do international games played under IIHF rules use the full semi-circle crease when just about every domestic league in the world uses the NHL standard "rectangle with a semicircle on top" crease? It can't really be as simple as giving the goalie more protection, can it?

The NHL, AHL, CHL, NCAA, KHL, Liiga, SHL, etc. all use the NHL version, and then I tune in to watch Olympics, worlds championships, and world juniors and they all have the full semi-circle crease.

What gives?

 

[Tweed]

The NHL used to use the full crease. If my memory serves me correctly, it started out as an empty box, then became a semi-circle, then there was some issues with players in the crease all the time, and also being able to tell if the puck fully crossed the line, and crease visibilty, so they made it solid blue, and then the NHL started tinkering with crease rules.

Brett Hull SCF, then more complaining about the rules being too rigid while at the same time as not bring enforced in critical moments...they dialed back the rules from "in the crease" to "contact with the goalie". People didn't like that players couldn't get in a goalie's kitchen, so they lopped off the sides of the crease, so players could stand at the sides of the net and bang in rebounds.

I think that's sorta roughly how it played out. The boys on the History board would be able to give you a really good rundown.

Edit: I just realized I totally didn't answer your question, and went off in some tangent about NHL history. Disregard me, I'm an idiot.

 

[Burke the Legend]

IIHF likes to do things differing to show everyone they wear big boy pants too.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Edit: I just realized I totally didn't answer your question, and went off in some tangent about NHL history. Disregard me, I'm an idiot.

I think that answers it, provided you include one last line: the IIHF didn't follow the NHL's lead when it made that last rule change.

 

[Beville]

Because the IIHF makes the rules...

And every league get's to change them as they want.

 

[Mpasta]

Because the IIHF makes the rules...

And every league get's to change them as they want.

You didn't answer the question at all.

 

[Quarter]

You didn't answer the question at all.

But he did. The most likely reason is that when the NHL went to the straight-sided crease the IIHF didn't follow suit because they're the IIHF and they have the final say in the rules and regulations off all international hockey.

Given the width of international ice and how much they do to protect goalies (crease violations, play dead if a shot hits the goalie's helmet, etc), they probably didn't see a reason to shrink the only safe area a goalie has on the ice.

 

[Paranoid Android]

I personally think the NHL should go back to the full semi circle. Doesn't seem like the current shape serves a purpose anymore.

 

[Seanaconda]

Why do international games played under IIHF rules use the full semi-circle crease when just about every domestic league in the world uses the NHL standard "rectangle with a semicircle on top" crease? It can't really be as simple as giving the goalie more protection, can it?

The NHL, AHL, CHL, NCAA, KHL, Liiga, SHL, etc. all use the NHL version, and then I tune in to watch Olympics, worlds championships, and world juniors and they all have the full semi-circle crease.

What gives?

Until that one goal that was called back the crease didn't even matter in the nhl for years other than a way to goalies know where they are in relation to the net.

But if they are going to start deciding having a foot in the crease is a reason to have goals called back again I guess the shape might matter.

 

[Seanaconda]

But he did. The most likely reason is that when the NHL went to the straight-sided crease the IIHF didn't follow suit because they're the IIHF and they have the final say in the rules and regulations off all international hockey.

Given the width of international ice and how much they do to protect goalies (crease violations, play dead if a shot hits the goalie's helmet, etc), they probably didn't see a reason to shrink the only safe area a goalie has on the ice.

The nhl gives the entire rink other than over the blue line and in the Pentagon(outside of it I guess but behind the redline ) as a safe place for the goalie. They aren't allowed to be hit anywhere

I wish they would get rid of the over the blue line rule. I wish Roy was allowed to bring the puck into the offensive zone when he decided to be a dangler.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I personally think the NHL should go back to the full semi circle. Doesn't seem like the current shape serves a purpose anymore.

It really doesn't make any difference now that the crease rules aren't really being enforced. Only once in a blue moon is it a factor in a call.

Frankly I'd be ok if they just rewrote the rules to essentially say "don't bump the goalie", and got rid of the crease altogether. That would make it harder for goalies to mark their angles and force them to play a little further back in their nets.

 

[Seanaconda]

It really doesn't make any difference now that the crease rules aren't really being enforced. Only once in a blue moon is it a factor in a call.

Frankly I'd be ok if they just rewrote the rules to essentially say "don't bump the goalie", and got rid of the crease altogether. That would make it harder for goalies to mark their angles and force them to play a little further back in their nets.

Agree it would probably increase scoring alot not having a reference to where they are in the net.

 

[Tweed]

It really doesn't make any difference now that the crease rules aren't really being enforced. Only once in a blue moon is it a factor in a call.

Frankly I'd be ok if they just rewrote the rules to essentially say "don't bump the goalie", and got rid of the crease altogether. That would make it harder for goalies to mark their angles and force them to play a little further back in their nets.

That's actually a very interesting idea. I wonder how much the goalies really do rely on the visual of the crease, and to what extent removing it would affect their angles, and scoring overall. I'm also trying to think of what other cause-effects might be at play too... what else would removing the crease affect?

 

[tarheelhockey]

I wonder how much the goalies really do rely on the visual of the crease,

Apparently quite a lot. This idea was brought up years ago, and forumers who play goal freaked out at the mention of it.

and to what extent removing it would affect their angles, and scoring overall.

I think the biggest thing is that spatial awareness would suddenly become a HUGE part of playing the position. Or rather, a different kind of spatial awareness than what we select for today. Goalies would have to work harder to keep from getting lost, and I'd expect we would see a lot more corners getting picked.

In the long run, only the very best would be able to play far out from the net and cut down angles aggressively without paying a price. The rest would have to play a little deeper, so that they could find the posts and re-set quickly. That would mean a greater chance of scoring on long shots.

I'm also trying to think of what other cause-effects might be at play too... what else would removing the crease affect?

The only thing that jumps to mind is the rule about a skater covering the puck in the crease. They'd have to rewrite that rule slightly.

 

[Tweed]

Apparently quite a lot. This idea was brought up years ago, and forumers who play goal freaked out at the mention of it.



I think the biggest thing is that spatial awareness would suddenly become a HUGE part of playing the position. Or rather, a different kind of spatial awareness than what we select for today. Goalies would have to work harder to keep from getting lost, and I'd expect we would see a lot more corners getting picked.

In the long run, only the very best would be able to play far out from the net and cut down angles aggressively without paying a price. The rest would have to play a little deeper, so that they could find the posts and re-set quickly. That would mean a greater chance of scoring on long shots.



The only thing that jumps to mind is the rule about a skater covering the puck in the crease. They'd have to rewrite that rule slightly.

I'm with ya. Sign me up for trying this out in the AHL.

Ah yes, covering the puck in the crease. Good catch. I had a funny feeling there was something else that might be affected there. Well, I actually have a solution to that, an idea I've been sitting on for the last 5 years or so, that I haven't floated on here yet. Mostly because there's a right time of year for that stuff, but also because it'll definitely receive mass-flame, and unless I'm in my Zen place, I'll likely defend the hell out of it and earn myself some infractions. And I haven't been in my Zen place in a long time, so I've just been sittin' tight xD

 

[Seanaconda]

I'm with ya. Sign me up for trying this out in the AHL.

Ah yes, covering the puck in the crease. Good catch. I had a funny feeling there was something else that might be affected there. Well, I actually have a solution to that, an idea I've been sitting on for the last 5 years or so, that I haven't floated on here yet. Mostly because there's a right time of year for that stuff, but also because it'll definitely receive mass-flame, and unless I'm in my Zen place, I'll likely defend the hell out of it and earn myself some infractions. And I haven't been in my Zen place in a long time, so I've just been sittin' tight xD

It's illegal to close your hand on the puck anywhere on the ice have gotten some calls from it behind the net where the player had no reason to do it.

 

[Tweed]

It's illegal to close your hand on the puck anywhere on the ice

Yeah, but when you do it in the crease... it's a Penalty Shot, instead of a Penalty. I think.

 

[Seanaconda]

Yeah, but when you do it in the crease... it's a Penalty Shot, instead of a Penalty. I think.

Hmmm just make it more like the rest of penalty shots rules if that's the case. If it clearly stopped a sure goal give them a penalty shot. Subjective but it would be similar.

 

[Quarter]

The nhl gives the entire rink other than over the blue line and in the Pentagon(outside of it I guess but behind the redline ) as a safe place for the goalie. They aren't allowed to be hit anywhere

I wish they would get rid of the over the blue line rule. I wish Roy was allowed to bring the puck into the offensive zone when he decided to be a dangler.

First off, the OP was asking why the IIHF didn't follow in the NHL's footsteps in shrinking the crease. The IIHF is not the NHL. They're much more strict when it comes to their referees calling the game and protecting the players on the ice while the NHL has always been extremely reactionary when it comes to that.

Second, you're right and wrong. Sure, a goalie can't be hit like Lucic on-Miller, but they do lose the benefit of the doubt if he initiates contact outside of the crease on a goal. That's not the case while inside the blue paint; he needs to be able to set himself to make an attempt at making a save.

Finally, the rule you're talking about is the centre red line, not the blue line. Rule 27.7 to be precise.

 

[Seanaconda]

First off, the OP was asking why the IIHF didn't follow in the NHL's footsteps in shrinking the crease. The IIHF is not the NHL. They're much more strict when it comes to their referees calling the game and protecting the players on the ice while the NHL has always been extremely reactionary when it comes to that.

Second, you're right and wrong. Sure, a goalie can't be hit like Lucic on-Miller, but they do lose the benefit of the doubt if he initiates contact outside of the crease on a goal. That's not the case while inside the blue paint; he needs to be able to set himself to make an attempt at making a save.

Finally, the rule you're talking about is the centre red line, not the blue line. Rule 27.7 to be precise.

Yeah center line my fault. That was a mistake. I would be fine with letting goalies get hit outside the crease because I love when goalies hit players and that's not a penalty.

But yeah they are more lenient on players bumping goalies outside the crease.

Why is the center line rule even a thing tho ? Obviously a coach would rather have a player in the ozone and pull the goalie. Unless they are pulling a mighty ducks strategy and are gonna pull out the knuckle puck.

 

[Quarter]

Yeah center line my fault. That was a mistake. I would be fine with letting goalies get hit outside the crease because I love when goalies hit players and that's not a penalty.

But yeah they are more lenient on players bumping goalies outside the crease.

Why is the center line rule even a thing tho ? Obviously a coach would rather have a player in the ozone and pull the goalie. Unless they are pulling a mighty ducks strategy and are gonna pull out the knuckle puck.

The only explanation I can find is that it was instituted in the 66/67 season after Gary Smith was knocked out by a JC Tremblay body check.

So again: reactionary NHL

 

[metalan2]

As a former goalie, when they started switching my local rinks to new crease I had trouble adjusting. Old crease is better for goalies, however I'm sure now it doesn't matter much anymore.