Falher at Grande Prairie Preview [Sat., Jan. 12]
Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer
We can’t get a much more wilder night that Saturday last in the NPHL. Coupled with all the suspensions and penalties, not to mention other weird happenings, I was a perfect 0-3 against the line! Skunked! David Temple, former NPHL linesman and avid NPHL fan, sets the lines and is inching closer to .500 each week.
Falher at Grande Prairie [Sat., Jan. 12]
LINE: Falher by 1/2
This is easily the most interesting game of the week. It’s the second of two meetings this season: GP won at FAL 7-3 on Nov. 16. It’s a chance for FAL to send a message they can compete with the powers in the West Division for an NPHL title. Stats suggest these teams are even in special teams and shots on goal. FAL comes in with the third ranked PP while GP is fourth. FAL’s PK is fourth while GP’s is third. GP is ranked first in shots on goal per game while FAL is third; GP ranks second in shots on goal per game allowed and FAL third. What might be worth watching is penalties and PP chances. GP is the league’s sixth most penalized team – FAL has had 90 PP chances this season to GP’s 67 in only two more games. Scoring first doesn’t guarantee these teams wins. FAL is 5-3 while GP is 6-2. FAL is 7-1 when allowing the first goal while GP is 2-4. Getting period leads is vital. FAL is 7-1 when leading after one period; GP is a perfect 6-0. When leading after two periods, FAL IS 11-2 and GP 8-1. A curious stat – despite their fine records, FAL is 0-2 when trailing after two periods and GP 0-5. FAL ranks first in goals for and against in the first period [+19] and second period [+25] but GP ranks first in the third period [+25]. These two teams like to use their sticks and not only for scoring. FAL is the fifth most penalized team regarding stick fouls [4.25 PIMs per game] while GP is the most penalized team [5.43 PIMs per game]. FAL is also a sparkling 7-0-0-1 on the road while GP is 5-1-1- at home. This may surprise some but FAL has never won in GP in regular season play losing eight straight games yet they are favoured [FAL has won playoff games at GP including a Campbell Cup clinching victory]. That’s how much attention FAL is getting. GP is 7-2 at FAL so all-time GP has a huge 15-2 record vs FAL. In looking for a stat to base my pick on because I view this as an essentially pick ‘em game, I’ve found one. FAL has not scored more than three goals in their last five visits to GP. That sways the pick. GP to win and take the half-goal.
The season series
1. Fri., Nov. 16 – Grande Prairie 7 at Falher 3
2. Sat., Jan. 12 – Falher at Grande Prairie
The Stats Pack
[Ranking in Parenthesis]
Category Falher Grande PrairieRecord 12-3-0-1 [1-East] 8-3-3-0 [2-West]
Power Play 24-90, 26.67% [3] 17-67, 25.37% [4]
Penalty Kill 23-85, 72.94% [4] 19-86, 77.91% [2]
Shots For 42.50 per game [3] 45.93 per game [1]
Shots Vs 37.50 per game [3] 37.00 per game [2]
Shots Diff +80 [3] +125 [2]
PIM For 24.50 per game [3] 33.93 per game [6]
PIM Vs 26.25 per game [3] 28.93 per game [6]
PIM Diff +28 [3] -70 [6]
Scoring 1st 50.00% [T3] 57.14% [2]
Record Scoring 1st Goal 5-3 [4] 6-2 [3]
Record Allow 1st Goal 7-1 [1] 2-4 [4]
Lead After 1 Period 7-3 [4] 6-0 [T1]
Trail After 1 Period 2-1 [1] 2-3 [3]
Lead After 2 Periods 11-2 [6] 8-1 [5]
Trail After 2 Periods 0-2 [4] 0-5 [T5]
Goals Scored in 1st 2.56 per game [1] 1.64 per game [5]
Goals Scored in 2nd 2.75 per game [1] 1.79 per game [4]
Goals Scored in 3rd 2.00 per game [T2] 2.79 per game [1]
Goals Allowed in 1st 1.38 per game [3] 1.36 per game [2]
Goals Allowed in 2nd 1.19 per game [3] 1.21 per game [4]
Goals Allowed in 3rd 1.81 per game [3] 1.00 per game [2]
Goal Diff in 1 +19 [1] +4 [3]
Goal Diff in 2 +25 [1] +8 [4]
Goal Diff in 3 +3 [3] +25 [1]
Come From Behind Wins 50.00% [1] 14.29% [6]
Blown Leads 18.75% [3] 21.43% [4]
Team Stick Fouls 4.25 PIM/Game [5] 5.43 PIM/Game [7]LAST WEEK’S RECORD STRAIGHT-UP: 6-0
LAST WEEK’S RECORD AGAINST THE LINE: 2-4
SEASON RECORD STRAIGHT-UP: 36-17
SEASON RECORD AGAINST THE LINE: 30-23