In ice hockey, an awarded goal is an unusual situation in which a goal is awarded to a team rather than scored. A penalty shot is a type of penalty awarded when a team loses a clear scoring opportunity on a breakaway because of a foul committed by an opposing player. The fouled player is given an attempt to score a goal without opposition from any defending players except the goaltender ("goalie"). However, when such a lost opportunity occurs and the opposing team has pulled its goalie to substitute an extra attacker, a goal is simply awarded without a penalty shot taking place.[1] The assumption is that, if not for the foul, the goal would have been scored.
In the Deutsche Eishockey Liga and National Hockey League, a goal can also be awarded if the goaltender deliberately knocks the goalpost off its moorings to stop a breakaway.[2] [3]
A goal can also be automatically awarded during a penalty shot or a shootout, if the goaltender attempts to stop the attacker performing the penalty shot in an illegal manner.[4]