It doesn't happen often, but it is possible to get credit for a goal in the NHL without actually putting the puck in the net. Rene Bourque of the Montreal Canadiens had it happen for him on Saturday night during their 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

With the Canadiens up by two with just over a minute to play, the Flyers pulled goalie Brian Boucher for an extra attacker. Bourque received a pass and took off up the ice on a partial breakaway toward the empty net when he was then hauled down by Jakub Voracek (and Bourque actually was able to get a pretty strong elbow to the face of Voracek along the way) as the puck drifted toward the net and hit the post.

Because a penalty was called as Bourque was knocked down on his way toward the empty net he was awarded a goal.

Rule 57.4 in the NHL rule book:

If, when the opposing goalkeeper has been removed from the ice, a player in control of the puck in the neutral or attacking zone is tripped or otherwise fouled with no opposition between him and the opposing goal, thus preventing a reasonable scoring opportunity, the Referee shall immediately stop play and award a goal to the attacking team.

So there you have it. Scoring a goal without actually scoring.

But how about that elbow to Voracek?

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