Extra attacker

An extra attacker in ice hockey, ringette, and box lacrosse is a forward or, less commonly, a defenceman who has been substituted in place of the goaltender.

Also, in four-on-four overtime, an extra attacker is added to a team on a power play in the case where another minor penalty is committed against them.

In leagues with a three-on-three overtime, each minor penalty results in an extra attacker for the team on the power play (up to a maximum of five total skaters plus goalie).

Beginning in 1999–2000 season, the league discourages from pulling their goaltender in overtime; if a team does so, and subsequently loses the game when their opponent scores an empty net goal, the losing team is charged with a regulation loss and forfeited the one point in the standings they would otherwise have received for an overtime loss.

[5] The extra attacker concept was first utilized in the NHL by Art Ross, coach and general manager of the Boston Bruins, who picked up the idea from experimental incidents in amateur and minor-league hockey.