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How many periods can a goaltender play?
If a goalie plays 3 periods of JV plus the overtime, can he then play 2 more periods as the backup goalie for the starting varsity if the varsity goalie is struggling?

There is no limit to how many periods a goaltender can play in one night.

Correct - there is an exception in the MSHSL rules for hockey goaltenders

My understanding is that they are limited to four periods unless they are replacing due to injury. I believe the injury is the only exception. It is my thought that the OT would be part of the third period for number played.

woodley wrote:My understanding is that they are limited to four periods unless they are replacing due to injury. I believe the injury is the only exception. It is my thought that the OT would be part of the third period for number played.

Is that of play time or being available to play?

HShockeywatcher wrote:

woodley wrote:My understanding is that they are limited to four periods unless they are replacing due to injury. I believe the injury is the only exception. It is my thought that the OT would be part of the third period for number played.

Is that of play time or being available to play?

Playing time. And anything over 4 periods is fine if it's due to injury or illness.
by-law 502.

... and if it is not due to injury or illness but just that the goalie is getting shelled???????

This conversation has peaked my curiosity! .... in the recent Bemidji/Thief River game, the TRF JV goalie played an exceptional 3 periods plus overtime and then in the second period relieved the starting varsity goalie who was not injured. Was that ok? ...... It does not appear so looking at the bylaws referenced by Jimbo:

"Exception: If an injury or illness to a goaltender occurs during the games scheduled on that day the alternate or spare goaltender may play in more than four periods that day. If the goaltender remains injured or ill for future games this exception cannot be carried forward.
For example: Your program has two goalies. Goaltender #1 plays three periods in the JV game. During warm-ups for the varsity game goaltender #2 breaks her arm on that day. Goaltender #1 may play all three varsity periods. Goaltender #2 is not able to play for one month. For all future games Goaltender #1 can play in no more than 4 periods on a given day. The options: A member of the team becomes a goaltender for two periods, or the JV and varsity games are scheduled for two separate days."

hockeyma wrote:This conversation has peaked my curiosity! .... in the recent Bemidji/Thief River game, the TRF JV goalie played an exceptional 3 periods plus overtime and then in the second period relieved the starting varsity goalie who was not injured. Was that ok?

I would guess that in most cases, it's a freebie for the coach, as the rules do not address the seriousness of the injury or illness.

I think we can rest assured that HS coaches are well aware of these rules and how they work, and will dress who they want, when they want, all based upon trying to win the game.

That's hilarious! "Oh dang -- he let a few goals in -- I think as a coach I will decide that he has a tummy ache!" ....What a crock! lol VERY FUNNY!

usually coaches don't care. heck, even skaters have played 5-6 periods a bunch of times. from time to time, coaches make agreements before a game that certain kids can play as many periods as they want. this is usually due to short benches.

as far as goalies are concerned, most coaches really don't care if johnny jv comes in for the last two periods of the varsity game after vinnie varsity gets ripped for five in the first.

ok, so it doesnt appear that it really matters. However, technically, barring injury, a goalie can only pay 4 periods -- so, is the overtime considered a period? I am hearing conflicting things on that one.

No, ot is an extension of the third period. Think of it this way, say a game went into a second overtime, that would make everyone who played the 3 periods and first ot ineligible. Even 1 ot would eliminate any kid who participated in the JV game.