1. What is Goals Against Average?

GAA (Goals Against Average) is a statistic used in hockey to measure a goaltender's performance by calculating the average number of goals they allow per 60 minutes of game time.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the GAA formula:

Where:

• \( goals\_against \) — Total number of goals allowed by the goaltender
• \( minutes \) — Total minutes played by the goaltender
• 60 — Standard hockey game length in minutes

Explanation: The formula normalizes the goals allowed to a standard 60-minute game for fair comparison between goaltenders.

3. Importance of GAA in Hockey

Details: GAA is a key metric for evaluating goaltender performance. Lower values indicate better performance. Professional goaltenders typically have GAAs between 2.00 and 3.00.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total goals allowed and total minutes played by the goaltender. Values must be positive numbers (minutes must be greater than 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good GAA in hockey?
A: In the NHL, a GAA below 2.50 is considered excellent, between 2.50-3.00 is average, and above 3.00 is below average.

Q2: How does GAA differ from save percentage?
A: GAA measures goals allowed per game, while save percentage measures saves made per shot. Both are important but measure different aspects.

Q3: Why multiply by 60 in the formula?
A: This standardizes the statistic to a full 60-minute game, allowing comparison between goaltenders regardless of actual minutes played.

Q4: Does GAA account for team defense?
A: No, GAA is influenced by both the goaltender's skill and the team's defensive play. It should be considered alongside other stats.

Q5: Can GAA be used for all levels of hockey?
A: Yes, but comparison between levels isn't always meaningful as scoring rates vary between leagues.