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 provides a standardized way to compare goaltenders regardless of how much they've played.

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 Calculation

Details: GAA is a key metric for evaluating goaltender performance. Lower values indicate better performance. It's used by coaches, scouts, and analysts to assess and compare goaltenders.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total number of goals allowed and the total minutes played by the goaltender. Both 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. The average varies by league and era.

Q2: Does GAA account for team defense?
A: No, GAA reflects both the goaltender's skill and the team's defensive play. For a more isolated metric, save percentage is often used.

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

Q4: Can GAA be calculated for a single game?
A: Yes, though single-game GAA can be misleading due to small sample size. It's more meaningful over multiple games.

Q5: Why multiply by 60 in the formula?
A: Multiplying by 60 standardizes the metric to a full 60-minute game, allowing comparison between goaltenders regardless of actual minutes played.