What is "shot on goal"

n. (context sports English) A shot at the opponent's goal.

In ice hockey, a shot on goal is a shot that directs the puck towards the net and either goes into the net for a goal or is stopped by the goaltender for a save.

A shot that is deflected wide or blocked by an opponent does not count as a shot on goal, rather it is recorded as a blocked shot. The player who blocks the shot is credited with a 'blocked shot', and the player who shoots the puck is credited with an 'attempt blocked'.

Shots that sail wide or high of the net and shots that hit the goalpost or crossbar are not counted as shots on goal, rather they are counted as 'missed shots'. Additionally, if a goaltender stops a puck that is going wide or high anyway, it is recorded as a 'missed shot'. Since it is not counted as a shot on goal, the goaltender does not get credit for a save.

An attempted shot that hits the pipe framing the goal mouth is not counted as a shot on goal unless the puck goes into the goal without further contact from the team attempting the shot.