---------- 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? ---------- 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