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.
Falher at Grimshaw [Sat., Dec. 8]
LINE: Falher by 1 1/2
It’s the third of six meetings this season. GRIM won by forfeit Nov. 3 [FAL outscored GRIM 8-6] at FAL and FAL won in GRIM 9-8 in OT Nov. 10. GRIM ranks first in shots on goal allowed per game [34.33] while FAL is fifth [41.75]. It filters over to shots on goal differential, where GRIM ranks third at +49 while FAL is fifth but -9. In PIMs differential, GRIM ranks first at +57 while FAL is fifth at -16 PIMs. That could be a difference given GRIM’s top-ranked PP. Should we expect goals in the first period or not? The teams rank first [GRIM at 2.50 goals per game] and FAL second [2.13 goals] in goals scored in the first period, but they also rank first-second in goals allowed in the first period: GRIM at 1.16 and FAL at 1.25. Something has to give. FAL ranks dead last in goals allowed in the third period at 2.75. GRIM is +8 in goals for/against in the first period but falls to -7 in the second. These two teams like to use their sticks and not for scoring. FAL is dead last in stick foul PIMs per game at 5.86 while GRIM is fifth at 4.50 PIMs per game. FAL has been waiting for this game; it’s the first game between the clubs after the forfeiture so the revenge factor may add fuel to the fire. Last year, the teams split in GRIM with FAL winning 5-3 and GRIM 8-6. GRIM has won four of the last seven at home vs FAL. Six of the last seven games in GRIM have been decided by two goals or less. I think FAL wants this game badly. FAL to win and cover.
The Season Series
1. Sat., Nov. 3 – Grimshaw 6 at Falher 8 [FAL forfeits game]
2. Sat., Nov. 10 – Falher 9 at GRIM 8 [OT]
3. Sat., Dec. 8 – Falher at Grimshaw
4. Sat., Dec. 22 – Grimshaw at Falher
5. Fri., Jan. 4 – Falher at Grimshaw
6. Sat., Jan. 26 – Grimshaw at Falher
The Stats Pack
[Ranking in Parenthesis]
Category Falher GrimshawRecord 4-3-0-1 [2-East] 4-1-1-0 [1-East]
Power Play 12-42, 28.57% [4] 14-35, 40.00% [1]
Penalty Kill 13-40, 67.50% [5] 7-28, 75.00 [2]
Shots For 40.63 per game [4] 42.50 per game [3]
Shots Vs 41.75 per game [5] 34.33 per game [1]
Shots Diff -9 [5] +49 [3]
PIM For 21.75 per game [5] 21.67 per game [4]
PIM Vs 19.75 per game [4] 31.67 per game [7]
PIM Diff -16 [5] +57 [1]
Scoring 1st 37.50% [T6] 66.67% [1]
Record Scoring 1st Goal 0-3 [6] 2-2 [4]
Record Allow 1st Goal 4-1 [2] 2-0 [1]
Lead After 1 Period 2-3 [5] 3-1 {4]
Trail After 1 Period 1-1 [2] 1-0 [1]
Lead After 2 Periods 3-2 [6] 3-0 [T3]
Trail After 2 Periods 0-1 [T3] 1-2 [1]
Goals Scored in 1st 2.13 per game [2] 2.50 per game [1]
Goals Scored in 2nd 2.50 per game [1] 1.83 per game [5]
Goals Scored in 3rd 2.00 per game [4] 2.33 per game [3]
Goals Allowed in 1st 1.25 per game [2] 1.16 per game [1]
Goals Allowed in 2nd 1.38 per game [4] 3.00 per game [6]
Goals Allowed in 3rd 2.75 per game [7] 2.00 per game [T3]
Goal Diff in 1 +7 [2] +8 [1]
Goal Diff in 2 +9 [T1] -7 [6]
Goal Diff in 3 -6 [5] +2 [4]
Come From Behind Wins 50.00& [1] 33.33% [3]
Blown Leads 37.50% [T5] 33.33% [4]
Team Stick Fouls 5.86 PIM/Game [7] 4.50 PIM/Game [5]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