Final answer:
The referee should stop the play and allow the goalkeeper to fix the skate blade.
Step-by-step explanation:
In ice hockey, if a goalkeeper's skate blade falls out of the skate, the referee should stop the play and allow the goalkeeper to fix the equipment. This is because without the skate blade, the goalkeeper would not be able to effectively move and make saves.
The referee would stop the play by blowing the whistle and signal for the goalkeeper to attend to their equipment. Once the skate blade is fixed, the play would resume with a faceoff in the nearest neutral zone faceoff circle.
This rule ensures the safety and fair play in ice hockey, as players need to have all their equipment properly functioning to participate in the game.