Ice Hockey
Ice hockey statistics: goals, assists, shots, plus/minus and goalie numbers
Hockey box scores compress a lot of information into abbreviations. This guide explains the most common IIHF skater and goalkeeper statistics so you can read a game or tournament table without confusing counting stats with rate stats.
Skater scoring: GP, G, A and PTS
GP is games played, G is goals and A is assists. PTS is total points: goals plus assists. These are counting statistics, so they accumulate as a player appears and records scoring plays.
Shots, penalties and special-team goals
SOG means shots on goal and PIM means penalty minutes. IIHF tables can also show PPG for power-play goals, SHG for shorthanded goals and GWG for game-winning goals. The exact columns shown can vary by competition page.
How plus/minus works
IIHF defines plus/minus as a skater statistic based on goals for and against while the player is on the ice at equal playing strength. A goal for adds plus one and a goal against adds minus one. Power-play team goals do not count toward this statistic, and plus/minus is not calculated for goalkeepers.
Goalkeeper statistics: SVS%, GAA and SO
Goalkeeper tables use GA for goals against, SVS for saves and SOG for shots on goal. SVS% is saves as a percentage of shots on goal. GAA is goals against averaged per 60 minutes, and SO is shutouts. A percentage or average is a rate statistic, not a simple count.