Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer
Grimshaw at High Prairie [Thu., Jan. 17]
LINE: High Prairie by 1 1/2
It’s a battle of the two worst teams in the NPHL and the last of six meetings this season. HP must win to keep slim hopes of catching GRIM for third place alive, and avoid a first round series with FAL. However, GRIM would also much rather play MAN than FAL.
Let’s see, HP is 3-2 vs GRIM and lost all 13 games vs the rest of the NPHL. Any truth to the rumour HP is lobbying for a 24-game schedule with GRIM next season?
All kidding aside, the teams have played three OT/SO games this season with HP winning twice. Each team has scored at least five goals in every game this season so expect the goaltenders to reach for the puck repellant. These are the two worst defensive teams in the league.
The one clear advantage GRIM has is in special teams. GRIM ranks second in PP and third in PK while HP is ranked last in each. GRIM must continue to excel in special teams to win; their five-on-five play is weak.
Other than special teams, GRIM and HP rank near the bottom three in every other category. HP ranks sixth on shots on goal for and shots on goal against while GRIM is fourth and fifth respectively. The big advantage is shots on goal for and against which sees GRIM ranked fourth at +47 shots while HP is ranked sixth at -165 shots. That’s 212 shots difference.
GRIM also has an advantage in PIMs for and against per game which bodes well for the PP. GRIM is ranked second at +35 PIM while HP is ranked last at -146 PIM.
Scoring first is on the problem for HP. They have scored first in 50% of their games but are 1-8 record when doing so. HP also ranks last when leading after one period with a 2-5 record.
GRIM is also only 3-4 when scoring first to rank sixth, but they are 5-2 when leading after one period, and a perfect 5-0 when leading after two periods.
Get behind and you’re in trouble. GRIM and HP are a dismal 1-25 when trailing after two periods: GRIM is 1-11 and HP 0-14.
GRIM ranks second in first period goals and HP second, but after that both teams are ranked fifth or worst in scoring goals and allowing goals in each period. HP’s -43 goals goals for and against is by far the league worst.
Both teams have come from behind to win in 16.67% of their games while GRIM has blown lead in one-third of its games but HP has blown leads in 50% of its games.
The bottom line: GRIM won the first two games between the teams this season, then HP defeated GRIM three times in 17 days up to Jan. 12. Make it four! HP 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.
TUESDAY’S RECORD STRAIGHT-UP: 1-0
TUESDAY’S RECORD AGAINST THE LINE: 1-0
SEASON RECORD STRAIGHT-UP: 40-19
SEASON RECORD AGAINST THE LINE: 34-25
The Season Series
1. Thu., Nov. 22 – Grimshaw 9 at High Prairie 8 [SO]
2. Thu., Nov. 29 – High Prairie 5 at Grimshaw 10
3. Thu., Dec. 27 – Grimshaw 7 at High Prairie 10
4. Sat., Dec. 29 – High Prairie 6 at Grimshaw 5 [OT]
5. Sat., Jan. 12 – High Prairie 6 at Grimshaw 5 [OT]
6. Thu., Jan. 17 – Grimshaw at High Prairie
The Stats Pack
[Ranking in Parenthesis]
Category Grimshaw High PrairieRecord 6-9-3-0 [3-East] 3-12-2-1 [4-East]
Power Play 30-94, 31.91% [2] 14-71, 19.72% [7]
Penalty Kill 18-71, 74.65% [3] 30-98, 69.39% [7]
Shots For 41.56 per game [4] 35.33 per game [6]
Shots Vs 38.94 per game [5] 44.50 per game [6]
Shots Diff +47 [4] -165 [6]
PIM For 26.44 per game [4] 29.33 per game [5]
PIM Vs 28.39 per game [6] 21.22 per game [2]
PIM Diff +35 [2] -146 [7]
Scoring 1st 38.89% [7] 50.00% [T3]
Record Scoring 1st Goal 3-4 [6] 1-8 [7]
Record Allow 1st Goal 2-7 [T6] 3-8 [5]
Lead After 1 Period 5-2 {5] 2-5 [7]
Trail After 1 Period 1-8 [6] 0-9 [7]
Lead After 2 Periods 5-0 [4] 2-1 [7]
Trail After 2 Periods 1-11 [3] 0-14 [7]
Goals Scored in 1st 2.06 per game [2] 1.89 per game [3]
Goals Scored in 2nd 1.61 per game [5] 1.17 per game [7]
Goals Scored in 3rd 1.61 per game [5] 1.39 per game [6]
Goals Allowed in 1st 2.22 per game [6] 2.50 per game [7]
Goals Allowed in 2nd 2.44 per game [6] 3.56 per game [7]
Goals Allowed in 3rd 2.28 per game [7] 2.06 per game [5]
Goal Diff in 1 -3 [5] -11 [6]
Goal Diff in 2 -15 [6] -43 [7]
Goal Diff in 3 -12 [T5] -12 [T5]
Come From Behind Wins 16.67% [T5] 16.67% [T5]
Blown Leads 33.33% [6] 50.00% [7]
Team Stick Fouls 3.11 PIM/Game [3] 3.83 PIM/Game [4]