NOTE: These are the game previews and notes. Teams and/or media are free to use these notes provided credit is given to NPHL.com
Any questions, please e-mail Chris Clegg at statsmanchris@hotmail.com
Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer
Grande Prairie at Fort St. John [Fri., Nov. 30]
LINE: Fort St. John by 1/2
Analysis/Pick
It’s already the third meeting this season between the teams. FSJ defeated GP at home 6-5 but GP won at home 7-2. It is also the second of back-to-back road trips to DC and FSJ for GP. That’s tough. Of note, GP’s PK is first in the NPHL while FSJ’s is sixth. The teams also rank in the bottom two in PIMs vs per game. GP ranks last in PIM differential. The odd stat is that both teams have played poorly in the first period [GP is -2 and FSJ -1]. After that, both teams improve greatly. GP is +9 in the second period and +12 in the third to rank second and first; while FSJ is +6 in the second period and +6 in the third to rank third and second. Don’t expect many stick fouls either. FSJ ranks first with only 0.80 PIMs per game while GP is third at 3.00 PIMS per game. FSJ has won six of the last seven at home vs GP. Over the last two years, the home team is 6-1 in this series with three of the games decided by one goal. I will not go against that trend. FSJ to win and over. It’s a leery pick because I find it difficult to believe GP will get swept in these back-to-back games [selection made before GP’s win at DC the night before].
NOTE: David Temple, former NPHL linesman and avid fan, sets the lines.
The Season Series
1. Sat., Oct. 27 – Grande Prairie 5 at Fort St. John 6
2. Sat., Nov. 3 – Fort St. John 2 at Grande Prairie 7
3. Fri., Nov. 30 – Grande Prairie at Fort St. John
4. Sat., Dec. 8 – Fort St. John at Grande Prairie
5. Thu., Jan. 10 – Grande Prairieat Fort St. John
6. Thu., Jan. 31 – Fort St. John at Grande Prairie
The Stats Pack
[Ranking in Parenthesis]
[All stats prior to Nov. 28 games except team records]
Category Grande Prairie Fort St. John***Record 5-1-1-0 [1-West] 3-2-0-0 [3-West]
Power Play 6-26, 23.08% [6] 8-22, 36.36% [3]
Penalty Kill 5-33, 84.85% [1] 5-14, 64.29% [6]
Shots For 45.33 per game [2] 39.20 per game [5]
Shots Vs 35.83 per game [4] 34.60 per game [2]
Shots Diff +57 [1] +23 [4]
PIM For 18.67 per game [4] 14.20 per game [2]
PIM Vs 12.67 per game [1] 13.40 per game [T2]
PIM Diff -36 [7] -4 [5]
Scoring 1st 33.33% [7] 45.00% [6]
Record Scoring 1st Goal 2-0 [T2] 2-0 [T2]
Record Allow 1st Goal 2-2 [T4] 1-2 [6]
Lead After 1 Period 2-0 {T2] 2-0 [T2]
Trail After 1 Period 2-2 [T2] 1-1 [T2]
Lead After 2 Periods 4-0 [2] 2-0 [T3]
Trail After 2 Periods 0-2 [T5] 0-2 [T5]
Goals Scored in 1st 1.17 per game [6] 1.60 per game [5]
Goals Scored in 2nd 2.17 per game [3] 2.60 per game [2]
Goals Scored in 3rd 3.17 per game [2] 3.20 per game [1]
Goals Allowed in 1st 1.50 per game [3] 1.80 per game [5]
Goals Allowed in 2nd 0.67 per game [1] 1.40 per game [4]
Goals Allowed in 3rd 1.17 per game [2] 2.00 per game [T4]
Goal Diff in 1 -2 [T5] -1 [4]
Goal Diff in 2 +9 [2] +6 [3]
Goal Diff in 3 +12 [1] +6 [2]
Team Stick Fouls 3.00 PIM/Game [3] 0.80 PIM/Game [1]