Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer
It was one of those weeks when my against the line picks were better than straight-up selections. Still, a sparkling 19-7 straight-up record this season and 18-8 against the line is very good. David Temple, former NPHL linesman and avid NPHL fan, sets the lines.
Dawson Creek at Grande Prairie [Thu., Dec. 6]
LINE: Grande Prairie by 1/2
It’s the third meeting of six this season and a battle of the top two teams in the West Division with first place on the line. Both games were in DC with DC winning the first 3-2 in OT and GP winning the second 8-5. These teams dominate the stats sheet. Do not expect many penalties. DC and GP rank second or third in PIMs for and PIMs against. Or should you? The first game had 14 PIMs but the second 87 PIMs. The teams also rank in the bottom two in PIM’s for and against per game. The first goal could be crucial. Both teams have not lost when scoring first. Something has to give. DC’s PP ranks second while GP’s PK is ranked first. The teams also rank in the top two is shots on goal differential with DC first and GP second. The third period may be the deciding factor. GP is +13 in goals for and against in the third period while DC is +3. GP has won 12 of the last 14 in DC but it’s a different story in GP, where DC has won two of the last three, and four of the last six since 2014. Overall, DC and GP have split the last 10 in GP. Expect plenty of goals. Both DC and GP have scored at least three goals in each of the last eight games between the clubs in GP. DC has scored at least four goals in their last six visits to GP. GP to win and take the half-goal.
The Season Series
1. Thu., Nov. 8 – Grande Prairie 2 at Dawson Creek 3 (OT)
2. Thu., Nov. 29 – Grande Prairie 8 at Dawson Creek 5
3. Thu., Dec. 6 – Dawson Creek at Grande Prairie
4. Thu., Jan. 3 – Dawson Creek at Grande Prairie
5. Thu., Jan. 17 – Dawson Creek at Grande Prairie
6. Thu., Jan. 24 – Grande Prairie at Dawson Creek
The Stats Pack
[Ranking in Parenthesis]
Category Dawson Creek Grande PrairieRecord 6-1-0-0 [1-West] 5-2-1-0 [2-West]
Power Play 9-27, 33.33% [2] 11-39, 28.21% [5]
Penalty Kill 8-28, 71.43% [3] 9-45, 80.00% [1]
Shots For 44.43 per game [2] 45.13 per game [1]
Shots Vs 34.86 per game [2] 37.00 per game [4]
Shots Diff +67 [1] +65 [2]
PIM For 19.43 per game [2] 19.75 per game [3]
PIM Vs 15.57 per game [2] 17.38 per game [3]
PIM Diff -27 [7] -19 [6]
Scoring 1st 57.14% [T2] 37.50% [T6]
Record Scoring 1st Goal 4-0 [1] 3-0 [2]
Record Allow 1st Goal 2-1 [3] 2-3 [5]
Lead After 1 Period 3-0 {T1] 3-0 [T1]
Trail After 1 Period 1-1 [T-2] 2-2 [T-2]
Lead After 2 Periods 6-0 [1] 5-0 [2]
Trail After 2 Periods 0-1 [T-3] 0-3 [6]
Goals Scored in 1st 1.43 per game [6] 1.50 per game [5]
Goals Scored in 2nd 2.29 per game [3] 2.00 per game [4]
Goals Scored in 3rd 1.43 per game [T6] 2.88 per game [1]
Goals Allowed in 1st 1.43 per game [4] 1.38 per game [3]
Goals Allowed in 2nd 1.29 per game [3] 1.13 per game [1]
Goals Allowed in 3rd 1.14 per game [1] 1.25 per game [2]
Goal Diff in 1 Even [4] +1 [3]
Goal Diff in 2 +7 [3] +7 [T3]
Goal Diff in 3 +3 [3] +13 [1]
Come From Behind Wins 28.57% [4] 25.00% [5]
Blown Leads 0% [T1] 0% [T1]
Team Stick Fouls 2.40 PIM/Game [2] 3.00 PIM/Game [3]LAST WEEK’S RECORD STRAIGHT-UP: 3-3
LAST WEEK’S RECORD AGAINST THE LINE: 4-2
SEASON RECORD STRAIGHT-UP: 19-7
SEASON RECORD AGAINST THE LINE: 18-8