That’s a good explanation. I think in one of these last few games, there was actually a case where the opposing player was indeed standing behind the goaltender but per the definition the player and goaltender were not even in contact. When you look at the “crease”, the goaltender can indeed be at the top of it, skates on the redline, an opposing player could actually be behind him.
I’ve got a question. Are there own-goals in ice hockey as there are own-goals in soccer? I would be led to believe No. Last night a skate went off on a Blackhawk into his own goal but I see it was credited to the Minnesota Wild. Wild’s first goal:
“2:19 - Clayton Stoner (1), Slap Shot. Assist: Parise, Pominville”
http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/gametracker/recap/NHL_20140502_MIN@CHI
So, I would say no. It seems to be a good law too. Players should usually not get blamed for own-goals in most cases, the puck or as in soccer, ball bouncing around and then goes into the net.
Sorry for the long post, though it would seem to make sense, you would have cases of an Own-Goal in hockey, a player has a puck slip off his stick and into his own net, things like this. I’m sure it has happened.