Pull the Goalie

Pull the Goalie is a strategic move in hockey where a team brings their goaltender to the bench and sends out an offensive player usually giving the team a man advantage on the ice. This move is made by a team, usually in desperate, last minute situations, when a goal is needed to tie or cut the score in the game.

Also referred to as “Pulling the Goalie”.

This move is seen as a high-risk/high-reward move as the additional forward on the ice can help the team apply offensive pressure on the other team in the hopes of scoring a needed. However, this strategy is high-risk as the net is left unattended making scoring a goal much easier for the opponent.