End of game, players tap helmets to goalie?

Question

I have noticed that at the end of an NHL game, all the players tap their helmets to the goalie's mask. What does it mean? Is this ritual only exercised when a team wins? How long ago and where did the ritual originate?

Answer 1

wayne gretzgy started this ritual while tapping his helmet against his goalies helmets,it took awhile to catch on,now everyone has been doing it for years.it signifies a nod of congradulations for the winning goalie.

Answer 2

This ritual does only take place when a team wins, however, when there were ties, both teams would do this. I think it is to congratulate the goalie on winning the game, especially after shutouts. Not sure on when it originated though.

Answer 3

I think they tap them on the head after a win to congratulate them. They just want to say, "hey thanks for doing your part of the job." Without a fantastic goalie its not much of a team. Or if they just made a great save, the players go up to them and say "hey nice job back there!" they are just trying to give them encouragement and support.

Answer 4

its like a high five just to congardulate there achivement of winning a game. they used to tap them on there goalie pads at one point not sure who started the trend or when put if you look back the goalie pad tap was the high five of years ago

Answer 5

just a sign of congradulating the goalie for a good game (or a win) been going on for decades I think.

Answer 6

It's a congratulatory gesture adopted from football, much like Jagr's cheesy, post-goal salute of the 90's (ala Terrell Davis of the Broncos).

Answer 7

lol you ask it as if there is a huge meaning behind it. Really its just like a different way of giving a
hi-5 to each other after they win a game..like saying "good job"

Answer 8

A signal of recognition for a job well done.Better than a pat on the butt any day!