How Are Goals and Assists Awarded in Ice Hockey?

Referees in ice hockey are responsible for awarding goals and assists to the players that are involved in the scoring of a goal. A referee is allowed to give out up to two assists to players that have touched the puck leading up to a goal. However, a goal may have one or even zero assists depending on how the play went. When a player scores a goal without any help from his or her teammates, it is known as scoring a goal unassisted and only the goal is recorded. The player's numbers are quickly memorized and the information is relayed to the official scorer who then records the information on the score sheet.

A goal can only be scored when a player shoots the puck completely across the goal line in the net. Deflections are also considered legal goals as long as the puck was not intentionally directed (in the referees opinion) into the goal with a part of the body other then the stick. If a player kicks, throws, or somehow puts the puck into the goal then the goal will not be awarded and the face off will take place in the neutral zone.

If the defending team accidentally scores on their own net, then the goal is considered valid and will count as a goal for the opposing team. The player who last was in possession of the puck or is nearest to the player responsible for scoring on his or her own net will be awarded the goal by the referee. No assists will be given, as the player did not actually score the goal by himself or herself.

If the referee accidentally tells the official scorer the wrong players responsible for the goal or the assists, then they can be corrected by the referee. It should be done as soon as the error is recognized, but can also be done at the conclusion of the game. However, only the referee is allowed to make changes, and once the score sheet is signed, the goals and assists cannot be changed to reflect any possible errors made.

Sources:

USA Hockey
Ice Hockey Helmet