Chris Clegg
South Peace News

I return for another NPHL season picking games straight up and against the line. Last week, my pick was featured on the new NPHL.com website. Please check this site for NPHL news and much more.
This week features four games. David Temple, former NPHL linesman and avid fan, sets the lines this season.

Manning at Grimshaw [Fri., Nov. 2]
LINE: Grimshaw by 3 1/2

MAN won in GRIM 6-5 to open the season last year to continue a trend of success in the Mile Zero town. MAN also won two of three in GRIM last season but – strangely – GRIM won all three in MAN. MAN has won three of the last four and nine of 12 in GRIM since 2013. To add to GRIM’s home woes vs MAN, the Huskies have not covered the current line in 13 games since Dec. 20, 2007. That’s almost 11 years. GRIM to win; MAN with the goals.

Fort St. John at Grande Prairie [Sat., Nov. 3]
LINE: Fort St. John by 1 1/2

GP looks to even the score as the teams meet for the second time this season: FSJ won 6-5 at home Oct. 27. It’s easy to simply pick GP because they are the home team and the stats certainly back that claim. GP swept FSJ at home last season winning 3-2 and 7-0. GP has also won four straight vs FSJ at home outscoring them 22-10. GP has also won five of six and 9 of 11 at home vs FSJ. The stats strongly say to take GP in an upset and the goals and that’s the pick.

Grimshaw at Falher [Sat., Nov. 3]
LINE: Falher by 3 1/2

GRIM has opened in FAL only once since 1990-91 and won 6-2 on Nov. 2, 2012. The odd stat here is that FAL won 12-6 and 8-6 in GRIM’s last two visits. It’s odd because FAL only scored eight goals at home vs GRIM once in the previous 15 games. As mentioned, FAL swept GRIM at home last season and split two games in GRIM. The main stats here are that only one of FAL’s three wins covered the current line last season, and only four times in the last 17 home games has FAL covered the current line. FAL to win; GRIM with the goals.

High Prairie at Manning [Sat., Nov. 3]
LINE: High Prairie by 3 1/2

Some things just defy logic. The rate HP gives up goals in Manning is alarming. In the last 10 visits to MAN, HP has given up at least six goals nine times. Thank you, Braden Gamble. HP lost both games at MAN last year 7-4 and 8-4, and HP has now lost 10 straight in MAN since 2012. HP has not won and covered this line in their last 11 visits to MAN. The obvious pick is MAN with the goals. But who wins? HP has lost eight straight opening nights games overall and can tie FAIR’s current streak at nine for the longest current streak. Meanwhile, MAN has won one straight to open the season but is 3-7 in their last 10. Going with the stats, MAN to win and take the goals.

LAST SEASON’S RECORD STRAIGHT-UP: 43-24
LAST SEASON’S RECORD AGAINST THE LINE: 41-26
SEASON RECORD STRAIGHT-UP: 1-0
SEASON RECORD AGAINST THE LINE: 1-0