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James Clippinger ([log in to unmask]) asked (NCAA rules):
 
        Can a goalie serve a minor if he chooses to?
 
        Situation:  Final 30 seconds of a 2-1 game.  Goalie for
        losing team, in process of heading to bench, accidentally
        plays puck past the red line, resulting in a minor penalty.
        The losing team, which has its top scoring line on the ice,
        would rather play with an empty net (or with a backup) than
        to have the penalty served by a skater.  Is this possible?
 
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Sorry, the rule doesn't allow that option. However, you could still
pull the goalie and add a new (next best?) skater from your team bench,
and the captain has the choice of which on-ice player to put in the
penalty box.  Since you say that the goalie *accidentally* played the
puck, it's worth noting that as long as part of one of the goalie's
skates is on your half of the ice (incl the red line), even if the
puck is in their half, you're ok.  Also, if (strange setup for third
period, but possible in an odd rink!) your bench is beyond the center
line, and the goalie is struck by the puck (but doesn't *play* it) when
over the line, then that's still ok.  In the end it's up to the goalie
not to play the puck when over the line (or get caught interfering with
an opposing player before off the ice yet after being subbed for), and
most (all?) goalies know this.
 
Graeme