Was this in HUT? I don't know if that rule is the same in the international rules as if the home team was an international team and not an NHL it would use their home ice and follows their rules with some things like the goalie lines behind the net and such. It's possible that this could the reason it was not an automagic goal.
But I completely agree, that should be in the game no matter what. If it's a rule, it's a rule.
I was playing an offline game against the computer, on the Pro-level settings and the NHL rules settings. I was leading by one goal in the final minute, the computer pulled their goaltender, I got a breakaway towards the computer's empty net and I was tripped by a player from the computer's team. I was awarded a penalty shot on the computer's goaltender, not an automatic goal.
I do believe those rules apply in international rules as well. For example, in the 2011 IIHF World Championship game between Switzerland and Sweden, Sweden were awarded an automatic goal in the final minute of the game, when Sweden were leading 1-0. IIHF's article about the game is at http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/browse/5/recap/5769.html. It states: "Backlund added an empty net goal with 32 seconds remaining to clinch it. An automatic goal was awarded by the referee after Switzerland's Julien Sprunger threw his stick and knocked the puck away from Backlund as he came in on the empty net." The IIHF World Championship is an international tournament, so they use international rules in every game.
When the opposing team has pulled their goaltender, and you're on a breakaway towards the opposing team's empty net and get fouled, your team should be awarded an automatic goal, not a penalty shot on the opposing team's goaltender.
