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 goals scored against the goaltender
• \( minutes \) — Total minutes played by the goaltender

Explanation: The formula standardizes the goals allowed to a 60-minute game (the length of a regulation hockey game).

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 total goals allowed and total minutes played. For multiple games, sum all goals allowed and all minutes played before calculating.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a good GAA in hockey?
A: In the NHL, a GAA below 2.50 is excellent, 2.50-2.99 is good, and above 3.00 is average to below average.

Q2: How does GAA differ from save percentage?
A: GAA measures goals allowed per game, while save percentage measures saves per shot. Both are important for evaluating goalies.

Q3: Does GAA account for empty net goals?
A: Typically no - empty net goals are usually not counted against a goalie's GAA since they weren't in net.

Q4: Why multiply by 60 in the formula?
A: This standardizes the statistic to a 60-minute game regardless of actual time played (regulation, overtime, etc.).

Q5: Can GAA be compared across different eras?
A: With caution - scoring averages change over time due to rule changes and gameplay evolution.