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 60 minutes of play.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the GAA formula:

Where:

• \( goals\_against \) — Total number of 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 Calculation

Details: GAA is a key metric for evaluating goaltender performance, allowing comparison between players regardless of actual minutes played.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total goals allowed and total minutes played. Both values must be positive numbers, with minutes greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: How does GAA differ from save percentage?
A: GAA measures goals allowed per game, while save percentage measures the percentage of shots saved. Both are important metrics.

Q3: Does GAA account for empty net goals?
A: Typically no - empty net goals are usually not counted against a goaltender's GAA.

Q4: Can GAA be used in sports other than hockey?
A: Yes, the concept can be adapted to any timed sport where preventing scoring is a key defensive metric.

Q5: Why multiply by 60 in the formula?
A: This standardizes the statistic to a 60-minute game, making it easier to compare performances across different amounts of playing time.