Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer
Manning at Grimshaw [Thu., Jan. 24]
LINE: Manning by 1 1/2
It’s a big game in the race for second place in the East Division and home ice advantage in the playoffs. The teams are highly likely to face each other in the playoffs.
MAN leads GRIM by three points. A MAN win clinches second place. If MAN loses in OT or a SO, they would need a combination of one more win and/or a GRIM loss in regulation time to clinch second. MAN would win any possible tiebreaker with GRIM so if MAN were to lose, a loss in overtime or a shootout would be very valuable.
MAN still has a faint chance of catching FAL but they trail by five points; each team has four games left.
GRIM has the advantage in special teams. Their PP ranks second and PK third while MAN’s are ranked sixth in each category. GRIM’s PP is over 8% better than MAN’s and their PK is almost 5% better.
GRIM’s rankings in shots on goal for and against have dropped considerably over the last few weeks. GRIM has dropped to fourth in shots for and fifth in shots against. However, MAN still ranks dead last in each category. This season, GRIM is +22 in shots for and against while MAN is a horrible -277. Thank goodness for goaltender Braden Gamble.
MAN is the most penalized team in the NPHL but they also draw the most penalties so special teams could be a factor. GRIM is the fourth most penalized team but draws the sixth most penalties. All said and done, both teams are fairly equal for the season: GRIM is +39 PIM and MAN only -4 PIM.
Despite having two of the league’s poorer records, GRIM and MAN have no problem scoring first in a game. MAN is ranked third at 50% and GRIM is tied for fourth at 45%.
MAN is 6-4 when scoring first; GRIM is 4-5.
MAN is 4-6 when allowing the first goal; GRIM 3-8.
Getting a lead after each period is key. GRIM is 5-2 when leading after one period, MAN is 4-1. Both teams are perfect when leading after two periods: MAN is 8-0 and GIM 6-0.
GRIM is a terrible 1-9 when trailing after one period and 1-12 when trailing after two. MAN is a very respectable 5-6 to rank first in the NPHL when trailing after one period but 2-9 when trailing after two. But hey, the entire league is 4-56 so MAN has two of the third period comeback wins!
Both teams have been outscored in each period. GRIM is -5 in the first, -15 in the second and -11 in the third, while MAN is -15 in the first, -23 in the second and -13 in the third.
It is interesting to note: in terms of goals allowed in each period, MAN ranks fifth in each period, GRIM sixth and HP seventh.
MAN is second in the NPHL in come from behind wins with 30% of their victories coming after trailing.
MAN lost their only game in GRIM this season but that was on Nov. 2. MAN won twice at home 5-3 and 6-5 but lost the most recent game 10-3.
MAN goaltender Braden Gamble is hot, hot hot! He has only allowed six goals the last three games – all wins. Go with the hot hand. MAN 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. 22-25.
TUESDAY’S RECORD STRAIGHT-UP: 1-0
TUESDAY’S RECORD AGAINST THE LINE: 1-0
SEASON RECORD STRAIGHT-UP: 44-23
SEASON RECORD AGAINST THE LINE: 38-29
The Season Series
1. Fri., Nov. 2 – Manning 1 at Grimshaw 5
2. Fri., Dec. 7 – Grimshaw 3 at Manning 5
3. Fri., Dec. 21 – Grimshaw 5 at Manning 6
4. Thu., Jan. 10 – Grimshaw 10 at Manning 3
5. Thu., Jan. 24 – Manning at Grimshaw
6. Fri., Feb. 1 – Manning at Grimshaw
The Stats Pack
[Ranking in Parenthesis]
[Stats as of Sunday, Jan. 20]
Category Grimshaw ManningRecord 7-11-3-0 [3-East] 10-10-0-0 [2-East]
Power Play 31-101, 30.69% [2] 21-95, 22.11% [6]
Penalty Kill 18-76, 76.32% [3] 26-91, 71.43% [6]
Shots For 40.55 per game [4] 31.60 per game [7]
Shots Vs 39.45 per game [5] 45.45 per game [7]
Shots Diff +22 [4] -277 [7]
PIM For 25.15 per game [4] 32.25 per game [7]
PIM Vs 27.10 per game [6] 32.00 per game [7]
PIM Diff +39 [2] -4 [5]
Scoring 1st 45.00% [T4] 50.00% [3]
Record Scoring 1st Goal 4-5 [6] 6-4 [4]
Record Allow 1st Goal 3-8 [6] 4-6 [3]
Lead After 1 Period 5-2 [5] 4-1 [4]
Trail After 1 Period 1-9 [6] 5-6 [1]
Lead After 2 Periods 6-0 [4] 8-0 [2]
Trail After 2 Periods 1-12 [3] 2-9 [2]
Goals Scored in 1st 1.95 per game [2] 1.05 per game [7]
Goals Scored in 2nd 1.60 per game [4] 1.40 per game [6]
Goals Scored in 3rd 1.65 per game [5] 1.45 per game [T6]
Goals Allowed in 1st 2.20 per game [6] 1.80 per game [5]
Goals Allowed in 2nd 2.35 per game [6] 1.55 per game [5]
Goals Allowed in 3rd 2.20 per game [6] 2.10 per game [5]
Goal Diff in 1 -5 [5] -15 [7]
Goal Diff in 2 -15 [6] -3 [5]
Goal Diff in 3 -11 [5] -13 [6]
Come From Behind Wins 15.00% [T6] 30.00% [2]
Blown Leads 35.00% [6] 25.00% [T4]
Team Stick Fouls 2.90 PIM/Game [3] 4.25 PIM/Game [5]