What is the term for a goal scored when a player is shorthanded?

A shorthanded goal is a goal scored while the attacking team has fewer players on the ice than its opponent because one or more teammates are serving penalties. The team with the penalty is shorthanded, while the opponent is on the power play.

Shorthanded goals are usually scored during a penalty kill, when the disadvantaged team tries to clear the puck and defend its net. A successful takeaway can create an odd-man rush or breakaway, turning a defensive situation into an unexpected scoring chance. The goal counts normally, even though it was scored by the team with fewer skaters.

A shorthanded goal is not the same as an empty-net goal. If a team pulls its goaltender for an extra attacker, the teams may have equal numbers of skaters, so a goal into the vacant net is not officially shorthanded. Likewise, a power-play goal is scored by the team with the numerical advantage.

In the NHL, scoring a shorthanded goal during a minor penalty ends that penalty. Major and match penalties follow different enforcement rules, so the penalty may continue after a goal.