Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer
It was one of those weeks when my against the line picks were better than straight-up selections. Still, a sparkling 19-7 straight-up record this season and 18-8 against the line is very good. David Temple, former NPHL linesman and avid NPHL fan, sets the lines.
Grimshaw at Manning [Fri., Dec. 7]
LINE: Manning by 1/2
It’s the second of six meetings this season. GRIM defeated MAN at home 5-1 to open the season Nov. 2. GRIM has terrific special teams. MAN needs to stay out of the penalty box as GRIM has the NPHL’s best PP percentage. However, MAN is the NPHL’s most penalized team at 26.88 PIMs per game. The teams also rank in the top two teams in an odd stat: PIMs per game against, although MAN is the most penalized team. MAN’s PIM differential ranks second. Go figure! GRIM, however, is first. Here is another odd stats: GRIM [1-2] and MAN [1-5] are the only two teams in the NPHL this season to win when trailing after two periods. The first period is crucial for both teams, GRIM ranks first in goals at 2.50 per game while MAN is last with 0.75, and GRIM is +8 in first period goals for and against to rank first while MAN’s -10 is last. MAN has won three of the last four in GRIM. Do not expect goals in this game. In the last eight games between the teams in GRIM, no team has scored seven goals. And each team has scored six goals only once. Yet, each team has scored at least two goals except for a 5-1 MAN win Dec. 30, 2017. I do not smell an upset lie Mr. Temple. GRIM to win and take the half-goal.
The Season Series
1. Fri., Nov. 2 – Manning 1 at Grimshaw 5
2. Fri., Dec. 7 – Grimshaw at Manning
3. Fri., Dec. 21 – Grimshaw at Manning
4. Thu., Jan. 10 – Grimshaw at Manning
5. Thu., Jan. 24 – Manning at Grimshaw
6. Fri., Feb. 1 – Manning at Grimshaw
The Stats Pack
[Ranking in Parenthesis]
Category Grimshaw ManningRecord 4-1-1-0 [1-East] 3-5-0-0 [3-East]
Power Play 14-35, 40.00% [1] 10-39, 25.64% [6]
Penalty Kill 7-28, 75.00 [2] 11-37, 70.27% [4]
Shots For 42.50 per game [3] 30.75 per game [7]
Shots Vs 34.33 per game [1] 48.13 per game [7]
Shots Diff +49 [3] -139 [7]
PIM For 21.67 per game [4] 26.88 per game [7]
PIM Vs 31.67 per game [7] 29.88 per game [6]
PIM Diff +57 [1] +24 [2]
Scoring 1st 66.67% [1] 50.00% [T4]
Record Scoring 1st Goal 2-2 [4] 1-3 [5]
Record Allow 1st Goal 2-0 [1] 2-2 [5]
Lead After 1 Period 3-1 {4] 0-1 [6]
Trail After 1 Period 1-0 [1] 2-3 [5]
Lead After 2 Periods 3-0 [T3] 2-0 [5]
Trail After 2 Periods 1-2 [1] 1-5 [2]
Goals Scored in 1st 2.50 per game [1] 0.75 per game [7]
Goals Scored in 2nd 1.83 per game [5] 1.63 per game [6]
Goals Scored in 3rd 2.33 per game [3] 1.43 per game [T6]
Goals Allowed in 1st 1.16 per game [1] 2.00 per game [6]
Goals Allowed in 2nd 3.00 per game [6] 2.00 per game [5]
Goals Allowed in 3rd 2.00 per game [T3] 2.13 per game [5]
Goal Diff in 1 +8 [1] -10 [7]
Goal Diff in 2 -7 [6] -3 [5]
Goal Diff in 3 +2 [4] -7 [6]
Come From Behind Wins 33.33% [3] 37.50% [2]
Blown Leads 33.33% [4] 37.50% [T5]
Team Stick Fouls 4.50 PIM/Game [5] 5.00 PIM/Game [6]LAST WEEK’S RECORD STRAIGHT-UP: 3-3
LAST WEEK’S RECORD AGAINST THE LINE: 4-2
SEASON RECORD STRAIGHT-UP: 19-7
SEASON RECORD AGAINST THE LINE: 18-8