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.
Grande Prairie at Grimshaw [Thu., Dec. 13]
LINE: Grimshaw by 1 1/2
A rare midweek game between division rivals as the teams meet in the first of a home-and-home series. This game is a statsman best dream because something has to give. GRIM’s PP is ranked first as is GP’s PK. GP ranks first in shots on goal for at 44.70 while GRIM allows the least at 33.63. The teams rank first and second on shots for and against: GP is +76 and GRIM +71. GP is the most penalized team while GRIM has the most PIMs committed against them per game. Think a lead isn’t important for GP? They are 6-0 when leading after two periods but 0-4 when trailing. And in a weird stat, GP has given us 12 goals in each period. GP has dominated in GRIM and have not lost there in 16 years by winning seven straight since 2002. GP is 8-3 all-time in GRIM, who sputtering after a hot start. Why s GR favoured? Because it’s a mid-week game close to Christmas? GP to win and take the goals.
The Season Series
1. Thu., Dec. 13 – Grande Prairie at Grimshaw
2. Sat., Dec. 15 – Grimshaw at Grande Prairie
The Stats Pack
[Ranking in Parenthesis]
Category Grande Prairie GrimshawRecord 6-3-1-0 [2-West] 4-3-1-0 [3-East]
Power Play 11-48, 22.92% [6] 16-39, 41.03% [1]
Penalty Kill 13-63, 79.37% [1] 8-33, 75.76% [T2]
Shots For 44.70 per game [1] 42.50 per game [3]
Shots Vs 37.10 per game [3] 33.63 per game [1]
Shots Diff +76 [1] +71 [2]
PIM For 29.60 per game [7] 28.63 per game [5]
PIM Vs 17.10 per game [1] 34.25 per game [7]
PIM Diff -125 [7] +45 [1]
Scoring 1st 50.00% [T2] 50.00% [T2]
Record Scoring 1st Goal 4-1 [2] 2-2 [T4]
Record Allow 1st Goal 2-3 [5] 2-2 [T3]
Lead After 1 Period 4-0 {1] 3-1 [4]
Trail After 1 Period 2-2 [T2] 1-2 [5]
Lead After 2 Periods 6-0 [2] 3-0 [T4]
Trail After 2 Periods 0-4 [6] 1-4 [1]
Goals Scored in 1st 1.40 per game [4] 2.00 per game [2]
Goals Scored in 2nd 1.70 per game [4] 1.63 per game [5]
Goals Scored in 3rd 2.60 per game [1] 2.25 per game [T2]
Goals Allowed in 1st 1.20 per game [1] 1.50 per game [4]
Goals Allowed in 2nd 1.20 per game [2] 2.88 per game [6]
Goals Allowed in 3rd 1.20 per game [2] 2.13 per game [5]
Goal Diff in 1 +2 [3] -4 [2]
Goal Diff in 2 +5 [4] -10 [6]
Goal Diff in 3 +14 [1] +1 [4]
Come From Behind Wins 20.00% [5] 25.00% [4]
Blown Leads 10.00% [2] 25.00% [4]
Team Stick Fouls 4.80 PIM/Game [5] 3.00 PIM/Game [2]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