1. What is Goals Against Average?

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the GAA formula:

Where:

• \( Goals\ Allowed \) — Total goals scored against the goaltender
• \( Games\ Played \) — Number of games the goaltender participated in
• \( Periods \) — Number of periods per game (typically 3 in hockey)

Explanation: The formula calculates the average number of goals allowed per full game equivalent.

3. Importance of GAA Calculation

Details: GAA is a key metric for evaluating goaltender performance, comparing players, and making roster decisions. Lower values indicate better performance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter total goals allowed, number of games played, and periods per game (default is 3 for hockey). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good GAA in hockey?
A: In professional hockey, a GAA below 2.50 is generally considered good, while below 2.00 is excellent.

Q2: Does GAA account for empty net goals?
A: Typically no - empty net goals are usually excluded from GAA calculations as they don't reflect the goaltender's performance.

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

Q4: Why multiply by periods?
A: This standardizes the calculation to full game equivalents, accounting for partial game participation.

Q5: Can GAA be used in other sports?
A: Yes, the concept can be adapted to any sport where measuring goals/points allowed per game is meaningful.