1. What is Goals Against Average?

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 allowed per game by a goaltender.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the GAA formula:

Where:

• \( Goals \) — Total goals allowed by the goaltender
• \( Games \) — Number of games played
• \( RegulationPeriods \) — Number of periods in regulation play (typically 3 in hockey)

Explanation: The formula calculates the average goals allowed per standard game length, accounting for different regulation period lengths.

3. Importance of GAA Calculation

Details: GAA is a key metric for evaluating goaltender performance, comparing players, and making roster decisions. Lower values indicate better performance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter total goals allowed, games played, and regulation periods (typically 3 for hockey). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's 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 overtime goals?
A: Standard GAA calculations typically include all goals against, including overtime, but use regulation game length in the denominator.

Q3: 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 goaltenders.

Q4: Why multiply by regulation periods?
A: This standardizes the statistic to represent goals allowed per full regulation game, regardless of actual time played.

Q5: Can GAA be used in other sports?
A: Yes, similar concepts exist in soccer (goals conceded per game) and other sports with goaltenders.