If you ask any hockey goalie, they will probably be able to tell you what their save percentage is. This is a very important statistic for hockey goalies. So what is a save percentage and how do you calculate it?
What is a hockey save percentage?
A hockey save percentage is the percentage of shots that were saved by a goalie. You can calculate it this way:
- Saves / shots on goal = save percentage
For example, if there are 30 shots on goal, and the goalie saves 15 of them, then the save percentage will be 50% (or .500):
- 15 saves / 30 shots on goal = 50%
The save percentage is the most important statistic for a goalie. If you want to learn more about what constitutes a shot on goal, learn more here.
Save percentage in beer league hockey
In recreational adult hockey, there is usually just not enough manpower to calculate shots on goal — and therefore save percentage. However, if you ask most beer league goalies, they will count their own shots on goal (I told you, this statistic is important to them).
What is a good save percentage in hockey?
This number greatly varies, depending on skill level and league. In the NHL, anything below .900 is pretty unacceptable. But in beer league hockey, this number is much lower. None of us are pros and so you may play with plenty of goalies who have a .500 save percentage.
Every goalie you talk to will have a different opinion of this, but in beer league hockey, just be thankful they are out there and you have someone saving goals for your team.
What is “average goals against” (GAA)?
Average goals against is another stat that is something used for goalies, which will help you understand the Save Percentage in a new context. Because if one goalie has 4 shots on goal and 1 allowed goal (.750 save percentage) and another has 40 shots on goal, and 10 allowed goals (.750 save percentage) you may not want to rank them in the same category.
Save percentages and average goals against are much more important in higher leagues, at least officially, but it’s an important statistic that many goalies love to talk about. If you want to make a goalie’s day today, ask them about their save percentage.
