1. What is Goals Against Average?

Goals Against Average (GAA) is a statistic used in ice hockey that represents the average number of goals a goaltender allows per 60 minutes of playing time. It's a key metric for evaluating goaltender performance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the GAA formula:

Where:

• Goals Against — Total number of goals scored against the goaltender
• Minutes Played — Total time the goaltender was on the ice
• 60 — Standard hockey game length in minutes

Explanation: The formula normalizes the goals allowed to a standard 60-minute game, allowing fair comparison between goaltenders regardless of actual playing time.

3. Importance of GAA in Hockey

Details: GAA is crucial for assessing goaltender performance, comparing players, and making roster decisions. Lower GAA indicates better performance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter total goals allowed and total minutes played by the goaltender. Minutes played must be greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good GAA in hockey?
A: In professional hockey, GAA below 2.50 is generally considered excellent, while above 3.00 is typically below average.

Q2: Does GAA account for team defense?
A: No, GAA reflects the combined performance of the goaltender and their team's defense. It's often used with save percentage for better evaluation.

Q3: How does GAA differ from save percentage?
A: GAA measures goals allowed per game, while save percentage measures saves made per shot faced. Both are important metrics.

Q4: Can GAA be used for all levels of hockey?
A: Yes, but comparison across different leagues requires context as scoring levels vary between leagues.

Q5: Why multiply by 60 in the formula?
A: This standardizes the statistic to a full 60-minute game, making it easier to compare goaltenders with different playing times.