Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer
Falher at Manning [Fri., Jan. 18]
LINE: Falher by 2 1/2
This concludes the season series between the clubs: FAL has won three of the first five, including a split in MAN [lost 6-5 in a SO and won 7-2].
FAL can clinch first in the East Division with a win of any kind because they win any tiebreaker with MAN that may arise.
Meanwhile, MAN is embroiled in a battle with GRIM for second place in the East and home ice advantage in the first round. MAN trails GRIM by one point [17-16] after GRFIM’s 6-5 win in HP Jan. 17, but MAN has six games left to GRIM’s five. MAN plays at GRIM Jan. 24 and Feb. 1.
As expected, FAL dominates in most statistics categories. FAL’s PP is ranked third and PK fourth while MAN’s are both ranked sixth. FAL has had an NPHL high most PPs this season with 100, and given up the most PPs, also with 100. FAL and MAN have each given up 26 PPGs but MAN in 15 fewer chances.
In shots on goal for and against, FAL ranks third in each category while MAN is last. The most important stat – shots on goal for and against, FAL is +96 shots but MAN is -286. A huge difference but that is how good and valuable goaltender Braden Gamble is.
Interesting in penalties that FAL is ranked third in least penalties, and fourth in penalties against. MAN is dead last in both categories. But combine the two and FAL is +6 for the season ad MAN dead even at 34.50 PIMs per game. Virtually even.
Unlike most clubs, it doesn’t matter who scores first. FAL is 5-3 when scoring first and 7-3 when allowing the first goal; MAN is 5-4 when scoring first and 3-6 when allowing the first goal.
FAL is 7-3 when leading after one period. MAN has a fine 75% win percentage when leading after one period [better than FAL’s]. The problem is, they had led after one period only four times all season.
The second period is a different story. FAL is 11-2 when leading after two periods, but 0-4 when trailing. MAN is a perfect 6-0 when leading after two periods and 2-9 when trailing so MAN’s win percentages in both categories are better.
FAL ranks first in goals for and against in the first period [+16] and second period [+24] while MAN is ranked last in the first period [-16] and fifth in the second period [-6]. FAL drops to third in the NPHL in the third period with an even rating but MAN drops to last being outscored 21 goals.
MAN also leads FAL by scoring first in 50% of its games to FAL’s 44.44%. But that doesn’t matter to FAL, who leads the NPHL in come from behind wins at 44.44%. MAN ranks second at 27.78%.
Overall, FAL has won three of the last four in MAN with each win covering the current line. FAL to win and cover.
NOTE: David Temple, former NPHL linesman and avid NPHL fan, sets the lines, which are set on the Sunday previous for the games from Jan. 15-18.
THURSDAY’S RECORD STRAIGHT-UP: 1-1
THURSDAY’S RECORD AGAINST THE LINE: 0-2
SEASON RECORD STRAIGHT-UP: 41-20
SEASON RECORD AGAINST THE LINE: 34-27
The season series
1. Fri., Nov. 9 – Manning 4 at Falher 11
2. Fri., Nov. 23 – Falher 5 at Manning 6 (SO)
3. Fri., Dec. 14 – Falher 7 at Manning 2
4. Thu., Jan. 3 – Manning 3 at Falher 4
5. Fri., Jan. 11 – Manning 5 at Falher 3
6. Fri., Jan. 18 – Falher at Manning
The Stats Pack
[Ranking in Parenthesis]
[Stats before Thu., Jan. 17 Games]
Category Falher ManningRecord 12-5-0-1 [1-East] 8-10-0-0 [2-East]
Power Play 25-100, 25.00% [3] 19-86, 22.09% [6]
Penalty Kill 26-100, 74.00% [4] 26-85, 69.41% [6]
Shots For 43.06 per game [3] 30.56 per game [7]
Shots Vs 37.72 per game [3] 46.44 per game [7]
Shots Diff +96 [3] -286 [7]
PIM For 26.00 per game [3] 34.50 per game [7]
PIM Vs 26.33 per game [4] 34.50 per game [7]
PIM Diff +6 [4] Even [5]
Scoring 1st 44.44% [5] 50.00% [T3]
Record Scoring 1st Goal 5-3 [4] 5-4 [5]
Record Allow 1st Goal 7-3 [1] 3-6 [3]
Lead After 1 Period 7-3 [6] 3-1 [4]
Trail After 1 Period 2-3 [T2] 4-6 [1]
Lead After 2 Periods 11-2 [6] 6-0 [T2]
Trail After 2 Periods 0-4 [4] 2-9 [2]
Goals Scored in 1st 2.33 per game [1] 1.06 per game [7]
Goals Scored in 2nd 2.56 per game [1] 1.39 per game [6]
Goals Scored in 3rd 1.83 per game [4] 1.06 per game [7]
Goals Allowed in 1st 1.44 per game [3] 1.94 per game [5]
Goals Allowed in 2nd 1.22 per game [4] 1.72 per game [5]
Goals Allowed in 3rd 1.83 per game [3] 2.22 per game [6]
Goal Diff in 1 +16 [1] -16 [7]
Goal Diff in 2 +24 [1] -6 [5]
Goal Diff in 3 Even [3] -21 [7]
Come From Behind Wins 44.44% [1] 27.78% [2]
Blown Leads 16.67% [3] 27.78% [5]
Team Stick Fouls 5.00 PIM/Game [T6] 4.50 PIM/Game [5]