Goals Against Average Calculator (GAA) (Hockey)

GAA, or goals against average, is one of the top three key statistics used to determine how well a goaltender is performing. You can calculate GAA by taking the total goals allowed, multiplying that number by 60, and then dividing it by the total minutes played ((goals allowed x 60)/minutes played). GAA is always displayed as a three-digit number with a decimal after the first digit. The ideal GAA for any goaltender is 0.00.

You can look at a goaltender’s ERA in the same way you look at a pitcher’s ERA. In today’s advanced analytics, metrics like GSAA and WAR often carry more weight than traditional numbers like ERA and GAA. The formula for finding goals against average is straightforward, and to make it even easier for you, we’ve added a free goals against average calculator below on this page.

Formula – How to Calculate GAA

GAA = (Goals Allowed ÷ Minutes Played) × Standard Game Duration in Minutes

“Goals allowed” means the total number of goals allowed while the goaltender is on the field. Count each goal conceded during regulation and overtime. Do not count goals in a shootout or when the goaltender is off the ice and the net is empty.

“Minutes played” means the total time the goaltender is actively playing. Include overtime minutes, but ignore any shootout time or moments when the goaltender is not in the crease due to an empty-net situation.

“Game duration” is the official length of a regulation game in a particular league. Most top-level hockey and lacrosse leagues use 60 minutes of regulation. Field hockey uses 70 minutes. Water polo lasts 28 minutes. Soccer matches last 90 minutes. Youth or junior leagues generally have shorter regulation periods than the top divisions.

Example

A goalkeeper spends 637 minutes in net, concedes 32 goals, and his league uses 60 minutes of regulation time per game.

• 32 goals conceded ÷ 637 minutes = 0.050235
• 0.050235 × 60 minutes per game = 3.0141
• This goalkeeper’s goals against average (GAA) is 3.01.

Why Sourcetable is the best tool for all your calculations

Explore the power of Sourcetable, an AI-powered spreadsheet designed to simplify all kinds of calculations. Whether you’re working on studies, office tasks, or personal projects, Sourcetable gives you unmatched speed and accuracy.

The easy way to calculate goals against average

For sports fans and analysts, finding goals against average (GAA) is very important. Sourcetable makes this calculation easy. Simply enter your match details, and the AI ​​assistant does the work of averaging with the formula GAA = Goals Against / (Minutes Played / 60). It clearly shows the output in a spreadsheet while also explaining the steps through its interactive chat.

AI that delivers precision and speed

Sourcetable uses advanced AI to provide accurate results every time. This smart functionality helps you complete calculations faster and with more confidence, perfect for tight schedules or important projects.

Flexible for any type of calculation

No matter how simple or complex your numbers are, SourceTable can handle them. Its AI assistant understands a wide variety of data inputs, making it a powerful and flexible option for all users.

Choose SourceTable if you want a faster, smarter, and more reliable way to handle any calculation. Step into the future of data work and analysis today.

Do empty net goals count as goals against?

Empty net goals are not counted in a goaltender’s save percentage or goals-against average. The moment a goaltender steps off the ice or begins to leave the crease, the clock on his minutes played stops. So if a goaltender goes to the bench at 59:01 of a 60-minute game, his minutes, shots, and saves are frozen at 59:01. Anything that happens after that point is not factored into either statistic.

Is GSAA or GAA a better measure of how well a goaltender is playing?

GSAA, which stands for Goals Saved Above Average, helps compare a goaltender to other goaltenders in the same league. Both numbers are important, but if you want a clearer picture of how a goalie ranks against their competition and how strong opposing teams are, GSAA provides a better measure.

What is a good goals against average?

In the NHL, GAA typically falls between 2.00 and 3.00, and this range has remained stable for more than five years. Goalies who keep their GAA below 2.25 are generally considered to be at the top of their game. A GAA between 2.25 and 2.9 is considered average, while anything over 2.9 is considered below average.

Is save percentage or GAA better?

If you had to choose just one statistic, save percentage works better for determining how well a goalie is performing. While a strong save percentage is often associated with a strong GAA, goals-against performance can fluctuate greatly from game to game, while save percentage remains more consistent.

Goals-against average remains one of the strongest markers of success at the crease at any level. Scouts rely heavily on this number, and it is one of the three most important metrics in evaluating a goalkeeper’s performance.

Conclusion

Tracking your goals against average (GAA) plays a key role in evaluating a goaltender’s performance in hockey. The formula GAA = (Total goals against / Total minutes played) * 60 gives you a simple metric to measure how well a goaltender is performing. Keep in mind, while GAA helps you compare different goaltenders, you should always consider the team’s defense and overall playing conditions to get the full picture.