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back of the net
DCHP-2 (Nov 2016)
1n. — Hockey
the small space behind a hockey net that stretches to the boards.
Type: 4. Culturally Significant — The back of the net may refer to the area behind, rather than within (see meaning 2), the goal. The term in this sense appears to be used mainly when describing sudden plays that shuffle sides by making use of this small area (see the 1978 and 1993 quotations). This meaning is rather exclusive to hockey as few other sports allow plays behind the net.
Quotations
1978
It was a pretty goal. Oakville's Ken Wilson picked up his puck, zipped around the back of the net, then with a quick flip of the wrist plopped it in behind Barrie goalie Gary Graham.
1993
Nicklas Lidstrom made it 3-1 at 5:05 of the third. Then Ysebaert swept around the back of the net and slipped the puck past Hackett at 11:24.
2009
The Wild (7-10-0) scored first, as Martin Havlat was too quick around the back of the net, tucking the puck off the left skate of a sprawled Gustavsson, for his second goal of the season to put Minnesota up 1-0 at 17 minutes 42 seconds of the opening period - this with Leafs forward Rickard Wallin serving time for holding a Wild stick on the fore-check.
2Hockey, expression, informal — e.g. to find the back of the net.
to score a goal.
Type: 4. Culturally Significant — In hockey, one sense of back of the net is the inside part of the net, which is, technically speaking, what is defended by the goalie. In this sense, back of the net is often found with the verb "to find", to find the back of the net, as a figurative way of saying that someone has scored a goal (see, for example, the 2009 and 2015 quotations). This meaning is also applicable when discussing soccer or other sports with netted goals.
Quotations
1988
Anderson, who had only scored one goal this season, got his second on a power play midway through the game and got the winner 16 minutes into the third. He pounced on a big rebound given up by Greg Millen and buried the puck in the back of the net before the Blues goaltender could react.
1994
"I got just enough on it to push it across the line. It went through his legs. I don't know if it hit the back of the net or not, but I will take it,'' said Roberts, who sat out the last game because of the injury.
2009
Neither side could find the back of the net again until Stephon Thorne slid one into an empty London net with just 14 seconds remaining to secure the win- and shutout.