Ice Hockey Officials: What Does the Goal Judge Do?

In ice hockey, the goal judge serves a very important role. It is his or her job to help the on ice referee make the correct call about when a puck crosses the goal line and counts as a goal. There are two goal judges in ice hockey, one for each end of the play and for each goal. It is very important that these goal judges do not have any stake in the game so that they can remain impartial and can do their job properly.

Goal judges in ice hockey sit directly behind the goal and help a referee with tough goal line calls. Sometimes the puck is shot so fast or at such a weird angle that it is hard for a referee to tell whether or not the puck actually crossed the goal line. They typically are able to signal the referee with colored lights. Typically, ff they see that the puck has crossed the goal line, then they signal the referee by a light that is red in color. However, if they believe that the proper call is a no goal call, then they usually use a green light to signal to the referee that the puck did not cross the goal line and the team should not be assessed a goal.

Once a goal judge is chosen during an ice hockey game he or she cannot be changed unless the referee believes that he or she has a connection to one of the teams. It is very important that the game be called fairly, so if one or more of the goal judges has an interest in one the teams, he or she must be removed so that the game remains fair. If the referee on the ice determines during the game that one of the current goal judges is not calling the game fairly, then he or she will be removed from the game and a replacement goal judge will be found and will continue the game from that point on. Fairness is essential to the game of ice hockey, so proper goal judges need to be picked based on the perceived trustworthiness.

Sources:

USA Hockey
Composite Hockey Sticks