Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer
A Tale of Two Cites was the theme last week. I never picked a single game right against the spread Thursday and Friday, going 0-3, but rebounded with three correct picks Saturday to split the week. David Temple, former NPHL linesman and avid NPHL fan, sets the lines.
Falher at High Prairie [Thu., Dec. 13]
LINE: Falher by 4 1/2
It’s the third meeting of six this season as first place FAL plays last place HP. FAL won 10-4 in HP and 6-5 in FAL. This game features the two teams with the worst PK percentages in the league and they are mere percentage points apart. HP’s PP ranks dead last, FAL’s fourth. In shots on goal for and against, FAL is fifth and HP sixth, but FAL’s stat is -3 to HP’s -81. The teams also rank last when scoring first: FAL is 1-3 and HP 0-5. FAL, however, is 5-1 when allowing the first goal so a slow start doesn’t matter to them. Interesting to note these teams don’t draw many penalties: FAL is second and HP third. However, HP ranks sixth in stick fouls committed and FAL seventh. In the important goals for and against category, FAL ranks first in the first and second periods, but drops to fifth in the third. HP ranks sixth in the first period and dead last in the second and third periods, including a terrible -25 in the second. While HP has lost 15 straight in FAL, this game is on home ice. FAL has lost two of the last three in HP but FAL has won 13 of the last 15 in HP. This is a tricky line. While HP has lost their last three games by a total of four goals – including a one-goal loss at FAL – the Pirates also appear to be gaining momentum. FAL to win but HP with the goals. I think HP can keep it close.
The Season Series
1. Thu., Nov. 15 – Falher 10 at High Prairie 4
2. Thu., Dec. 6 – High Prairie 5 at Falher 6
3. Thu., Dec. 13 – Falher at High Prairie
4. Thu., Dec. 20– High Prairie at Falher
5. Thu., Jan. 24 – Falher at High Prairie
6. Thu., Jan. 31 – High Prairie at Falher
The Stats Pack
[Ranking in Parenthesis]
Category Falher High PrairieRecord 6-3-0-1 [1-East] 0-8-1-1 [4-East]
Power Play 13-53, 24.53% [4] 8-39, 20.51% [7]
Penalty Kill 15-46, 67.39% [6] 18-55, 67.27% [7]
Shots For 40.20 per game [4] 33.30 per game [6]
Shots Vs 40.50 per game [5] 41.40 per game [6]
Shots Diff -3 [5] -81 [6]
PIM For 22.70 per game [3] 25.20 per game [4]
PIM Vs 15.57 per game [2] 21.30 per game [3]
PIM Diff +5 [5] -39 [6]
Scoring 1st 40.00% [7] 50.00% [T2]
Record Scoring 1st Goal 1-3 [6] 0-5 [7]
Record Allow 1st Goal 5-1 [1] 0-5 [7]
Lead After 1 Period 3-3 {6] 0-4 [7]
Trail After 1 Period 2-1 [1] 0-6 [7]
Lead After 2 Periods 5-2 [6] 0-0 [7]
Trail After 2 Periods 0-1 [T-3] 0-10 [7]
Goals Scored in 1st 2.10 per game [1] 1.60 per game [3]
Goals Scored in 2nd 2.70 per game [1] 1.20 per game [7]
Goals Scored in 3rd 2.10 per game [4] 1.50 per game [T5]
Goals Allowed in 1st 1.30 per game [2] 2.00 per game [7]
Goals Allowed in 2nd 1.30 per game [4] 3.70 per game [7]
Goals Allowed in 3rd 2.60 per game [7] 2.40 per game [6]
Goal Diff in 1 +8 [1] -4 [6]
Goal Diff in 2 +14 [1] -25 [7]
Goal Diff in 3 -5 [5] -9 [7]
Come From Behind Wins 50.00% [1] 0.00% [7]
Blown Leads 30.00% [T5] 60.00% [7]
Team Stick Fouls 5.30 PIM/Game [7] 4.90 PIM/Game [6]LAST WEEK’S RECORD STRAIGHT-UP: 3-3
LAST WEEK’S RECORD AGAINST THE LINE: 3-3
SEASON RECORD STRAIGHT-UP: 22-10
SEASON RECORD AGAINST THE LINE: 21-11