The goal crease: when an attacker's position stops play

USA Hockey protects the crease with a stoppage rule, not only a no-goal rule. If an attacking player stands in the crease, holds a stick in it or skates through it, play is stopped and the face-off goes to the nearest neutral-zone spot, as long as three things are true: the puck is inside the attacking zone, the attackers have it, and the goalkeeper is touching the crease. The crease includes the crease lines and extends up to the top of the goal frame. No goal may be scored with an attacker in the crease unless the puck preceded the player in or the goalkeeper is out of the crease. If a defender's physical interference put the attacker in the crease, play is not stopped and a legal goal counts.