Category: League News

News About the NPHL League

DC Rallies in Late Periods For Win

Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer

A short lineup did not deter the Dawson Creek Canucks from winning their sixth game in seven starts this NPHL season.
Matt Schmermund scored the hat trick as DC won in GRIM 7-3 Saturday night. With the win, DC [6-1-0-0] climbed back into first place in the West Division, one point ahead of idle Grande Prairie.
It was GRIM’s first loss [4-1-0-1] in regulation this season.
Christian Kenny’s goal opened the scoring and Kurt Konopelka’s power play goal gave GRIM a 2-0 lead after one period.
However, DC rallied in the second by outscoring GRIM 3-0 and outshooting them 18-8. Schmermund scored this first of three goals, while Spencer Gover and Jeff Taylor added others.
Ty Wiebe tied the game at the 3:01 mark of the third period. Continue reading “DC Rallies in Late Periods For Win” →

NPHL Analysis/Picks for Saturday, Dec. 1

Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer

Dawson Creek at Grimshaw [Sat., Dec.1]
LINE: Grimshaw by 1/2

It’s the first meeting of the season between these clubs. DC has won four of the last six in GRIM, but the teams have split 10 all-time meetings in GRIM with five wins each. Six of the games have been decided by three goals or less. It is a different story if the game is in DC, where DC has won nine of 10, not including the forfeit last season. I can’t see DC losing this game given the West Division’s dominance of the East. DC to win the pick ‘em contest.

Falher at Fort St. John [Sat., Dec. 1]
LINE: Fort St. John by 2 1/2
Continue reading “NPHL Analysis/Picks for Saturday, Dec. 1” →

Flyers Nip A’s in Battle of West Powers

Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer

Tanner LeSann’s third period goal proved to be the game-winner as the hometown Fort St. Flyers nipped the Grande Prairie Athletics 5-4 Nov. 30.
The Flyers never trailed in the contest, but the A’s kept battling back to make it close.
Rick Cleaver gave FSJ the early lead in the first period before Mackenzie Caron scored to tie the game. For each player, it would be the first of two goals on the night.
Cleaver would score gain, only to see Braden Crone tie the game 2-2 before the end of the period.
In the second, Kelly Loudoun’s first of the season and Joey Massingham’s power play goal gave FSJ a 4-2 lead. Continue reading “Flyers Nip A’s in Battle of West Powers” →

Grande Prairie at Fort St. John Preview (Nov. 30)

NOTE: These are the game previews and notes. Teams and/or media are free to use these notes provided credit is given to NPHL.com
Any questions, please e-mail Chris Clegg at statsmanchris@hotmail.com

Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer

Grande Prairie at Fort St. John [Fri., Nov. 30]
LINE: Fort St. John by 1/2

Analysis/Pick

It’s already the third meeting this season between the teams. FSJ defeated GP at home 6-5 but GP won at home 7-2. It is also the second of back-to-back road trips to DC and FSJ for GP. That’s tough. Of note, GP’s PK is first in the NPHL while FSJ’s is sixth. The teams also rank in the bottom two in PIMs vs per game. GP ranks last in PIM differential. The odd stat is that both teams have played poorly in the first period [GP is -2 and FSJ -1]. After that, both teams improve greatly. GP is +9 in the second period and +12 in the third to rank second and first; while FSJ is +6 in the second period and +6 in the third to rank third and second. Don’t expect many stick fouls either. FSJ ranks first with only 0.80 PIMs per game while GP is third at 3.00 PIMS per game. FSJ has won six of the last seven at home vs GP. Over the last two years, the home team is 6-1 in this series with three of the games decided by one goal. I will not go against that trend. FSJ to win and over. It’s a leery pick because I find it difficult to believe GP will get swept in these back-to-back games [selection made before GP’s win at DC the night before].
NOTE: David Temple, former NPHL linesman and avid fan, sets the lines.
Continue reading “Grande Prairie at Fort St. John Preview (Nov. 30)” →

Huskies Outgun Still Winless Regals

Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer

The early season woes continue for the High Prairie Regals while the Grimshaw Huskies are now the only team in the NPHL not to lose in regulation time season.
GRIM outgunned HP 10-5 Nov. 29 to increase their record to 4-0-1-0 while the Regals dropped to 0-6-0-1. The two points increased GRIM’s early season hold on first place in the NPHL’s East Division.
GRIM led 2-0 in the first period but HP came back to tie the game in the second period; GRIM then led 3-2 in the second before HP tied the game again.
However, GRIM then scored four straight goals by the 7:15 mark of the third period to lead 7-3 and coasted home.
Despite the 10 goals, GRIM put up some odd stats in spreading around the scoring wealth. Nine different Huskies scored in the win and no player recorded more than three points. No player had as many as three assists and 16 different GRIM players had at least one point.
Bond Hawryluk scored twice for GRIM, once on the power play, as GRIM was 4-for-7 on the night – their PP was ranked first in the NPHL heading into the game. Christian Kenny, Sheldon Szmata and Colter Wiebe added PPGs while Corson Fairless, Logan Putio, Davis Rose and Mark Simpson added even-strength goals. Ty Wiebe added a SHG, the first of the season for GRIM.
Drake Cunningham scored twice to lead HP, once on the PP. Luc L’L’Hirondelle, Hector Lamouche and Chris LeGresley added the others. LeGresley’s effort was SH and also the first SHG for HP this season.
GRIM has now won both meetings vs HP this season, having won 9-8 in a shootout on Nov. 22.
GRIM is now 8-1 at home vs HP in the last nine games and seven of the eight wins were by at least three goals.
Continue reading “Huskies Outgun Still Winless Regals” →

Athletics Hand Canucks First Loss of Season

Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer

There are no longer any perfect teams in the NPHL.
The Grande Prairie Athletics handed the hometown Dawson Creek Canucks their first loss of the season, walking into the B.C city and thumping the Canucks 8-5.
With the win, the A’s took over first place in the West Division [5-1-1-0] for 11 points while DC drops to 5-1-0-0 for 10 points. DC does enjoy one game in hand.
Special teams played a huge role in the game. The A’s scored on their first three power play chances in the first period and were 4-for-9 on the night, while the Canucks were 2-for-9.
GP enjoyed period leads of 3-0 and 6-3, and never trailed in the contest.
Seven different A’s scored, led by Mackenzie Caron’s two goals, one on the PP. He also added two assists.
Tyrell Mason, Morgan MacLean and Parker Sharp scored PPGs while Sheldon McArthur, Blake Clement and Denis Rix each added even strength goals. Rix also added three assists.
Sean Maktaak and Kevin Hope scored PPGs for DC, while Dolan Bjornson, Levi George and Connor Rose added even strength tallies.
The teams have now split two games played in DC this season. DC defeated GP at home 3-2 in OT on Nov. 8.
The three-goal win for GP was rare. Eight of the last 13 games between the teams in DC have been decided by two goals or less.
GP has now won 12 of the last 14 games played between the teams in DC.
Continue reading “Athletics Hand Canucks First Loss of Season” →

High Prairie at Grimshaw Preview – Nov. 29

NOTE: These are the game previews and notes. Teams and/or media are free to use these notes provided credit is given to NPHL.com
Any questions, please e-mail Chris Clegg at statsmanchris@hotmail.com

Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer

High Prairie at Grimshaw [Thu., Nov. 29]
LINE: GRIM by by 2 1/2

It’s the second of six meetings this season. GRIM won in HP 9-8 in a shootout on Nov. 22 and have still not lost in regulation time this season. HP remains the NPHL’s only winless club.
Special notes:
*This game features GRIM’s top-ranked PP while HP’s is worst.
*GRIM also gets 12 more shots on goal per game than HP.
*HP ranks first in team PIMs per game differential while GRIM is second.
*Amazingly, HP has not won when scoring first in four games.
*HP has also trailed after two periods in all six of their games.
*If you like scoring, expect lots of scoring in the second period. The teams rank seventh [HP] and sixth [GRIM] in second period goals allowed.
Analysis/Pick:
GRIM is 7-1 at home vs HP in the last eight games and six of the seven wins were by at least three goals. Since 2013, GRIM has scored at least five goals in their last 18 games vs HP overall. For that reason, GRIM to win and cover. GRIM has also covered this line in six of the last eight home games vs HP.
NOTE: David Temple, former NPHL linesman and avid fan, sets the lines.
Continue reading “High Prairie at Grimshaw Preview – Nov. 29” →

Grande Prairie at Dawson Creek Preview – Nov. 29

NOTE: These are the game previews and notes. Teams and/or media are free to use these notes provided credit is given to NPHL.com
Any questions, please e-mail Chris Clegg at statsmanchris@hotmail.com

Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer

Grande Prairie at Dawson Creek [Thu., Nov. 29]
LINE: DC by 1/2

It’s the second of six meetings this season and a battle of the two top teams in the West Division. DC defeated GP at home 3-2 in OT on Nov. 8.
Special notes:
*The game also features the two top teams in the NPHL in PK percentage, shots on goal for/against per game, and PIM per game against.
*DC ranks first in scoring the first goal of the game while GP ranks last.
*Each team has not lost when scoring first so the first goal may be crucial.
*DC has not trailed after the first period or second period this season.
Analysis/Pick:
Expect a close game. Not counting the forfeited game last year, the clubs have played three straight one-goal games in DC. Eight of the last 13 games between the teams in DC have been decided by two goals or less. DC has won two of the last three at home vs GP but before that GP has won 10 straight. DC seems to have GP’s recent number. Last season, DC won three of four and forfeited the other game. GP has scored at least three goals in 14 straight games in DC before the early season loss. I will go with recent history. DC to win the pick ‘em match.
NOTE: David Temple, former NPHL linesman and avid fan, sets the lines.
Continue reading “Grande Prairie at Dawson Creek Preview – Nov. 29” →

NPHL Goal Scoring Up 11.5% This Season

Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer

If you thought goal scoring in the NPHL was up this year, you were right.
Through the first 20 games this season, scoring was up 11.5% over last season’s total in 2017-18.
In fact, at the current rate, scoring is at its highest level in NPHL play in five seasons. Here are the numbers:

2014-15 – 8.83 goals per game.
2015-16 – 8.79 goals per game.
2016-17 – 10.01 goals per game
2017-18 – 10.00 goals per game.
2018-19 – 11.15 goals per game.

Of course, this is only a small sampling of games. Whether this will continue is anyone’s guess.
Of interest, the 2015-16 was the lowest per game goal total in NPHL history, barely lower than the 2014-15 total.
Anyone claiming there were fewer goals in the “good old day” is absolutely wrong.
The 1997-98 season was the highest per game goal total in NPHL history. Teams played 11 games and scored 1,900 goals for an average of 13.19 goals per game.

NOTE: Use of this story is free provided that NPHL.com is credited as the source.