1. What is GAA?

GAA (Goals Against Average) is a statistic used in ice hockey and other sports to measure a goaltender's performance. It represents the average number of goals the goaltender allows per 60 minutes of game time.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the GAA formula:

Where:

• \( goals\_against \) — Total goals allowed by the goaltender
• \( minutes \) — Total minutes played by the goaltender

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

3. Importance of GAA Calculation

Details: GAA is a key metric for evaluating 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. All values must be valid (goals ≥ 0, minutes > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good GAA in professional hockey?
A: In the NHL, a 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 both the goaltender's skill and the team's defensive play. 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.

Q4: Can GAA be calculated for partial games?
A: Yes, the calculator works for any amount of playing time, from a few minutes to multiple full games.

Q5: Why multiply by 60 in the formula?
A: Multiplying by 60 standardizes the statistic to a 60-minute game, which is the length of a regulation hockey game.