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 play. It's a key metric for evaluating goaltenders.

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 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 crucial for comparing goaltenders' performances, evaluating team defense, and making decisions about starting lineups. Lower GAA indicates better performance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter total goals allowed and total minutes played. Both values must be valid (goals ≥ 0, minutes > 0).

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 excellent, while above 3.00 is typically poor.

Q2: 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.

Q3: Does GAA account for empty net goals?
A: Typically no - empty net goals are usually excluded from GAA calculations since the goaltender wasn't in net.

Q4: Why multiply by 60 in the formula?
A: This standardizes the statistic to a full 60-minute game regardless of actual minutes played.

Q5: Can GAA be used for team statistics?
A: Yes, team GAA is often calculated to evaluate overall defensive performance.