Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer
For everything you need to know about the Falher vs Grande Prairie NPHL Semi-Final, including stats, analysis and prediction, continue to read.
NPHL Semi-Final
Falher Pirates vs Grande Prairie Athletics
[Best-of-seven]
Playoff History
* The teams have only met twice in playoff history. GP won the NPHL Semi-Final in four straight in 2008-09 but FAL won the NPHL Final in seven games in 2011-12.
* Overall, GP is 4-2 at home and 3-2 on the road.
* Overall, FAL is 2-3 at home and 2-4 on the road.
* Overall, GP has outscored FAL 46-41.
* Overall, FAL has been outscored by GP 46-41.
* There have been three overtime games between the teams. GP is 2-1, having won at FAL 8-7 in 2009, but losing at FAL 3-2 in 2012 and in the deciding Game 7 at home, also 3-2, in 2012.
2008-09 NPHL-Semi-Final
March 3 – Grande Prairie 8 at Falher 7 [OT]
March 6 – Falher 3 at Grande Prairie 5
March 7 – Grande Prairie 6 at Falher 2
March 10 – Falher 2 at Grande Prairie 3
[Grande Prairie wins series 4-0]
– GP would lose the NPHL Final 4-2 to Fort St. John.
2011-12 NPHL Final
March 10 – Falher 3 at Grande Prairie 4
March 13 – Grande Prairie 2 at Falher 3 [OT]
March 15 – Falher 3 at Grande Prairie 8
March 17 – Grande Prairie 4 at Falher 6
March 20 – Falher 4 at Grande Prairie 3
March 23 – Grande Prairie 4 at Falher 2
March 25 – Falher 3 at Grande Prairie 2 [)T]
[Falher wins series 4-3]
Series Schedule
Game 1, Thu., Feb. 21 – Grande Prairie at Falher
Game 2, Sat., Feb. 23 – Falher at Grande Prairie
Game 3, Tue., Feb. 26 – Grande Prairie at Falher
Game 4, Thu., Feb. 28 – Falher at Grande Prairie
*Game 5, Sat., March 2 – Grande Prairie at Falher
*Game 6, Tue., March 5 – Falher at Grande Prairie
*Game 7, Thu., March 7 – Grande Prairie at Falher
* if necessary
The Season Series – 2018-19
1. Fri., Nov. 16 – Grande Prairie 7 at Falher 3
2. Sat., Jan. 12 – Falher 1 at Grande Prairie 6
PIMs: FAL 47; GP 46.
PP: FAL 0-13; GP 0-10.
Shots on Goal: FAL 72; GP 101.
GP swept the season series and outscored FAL 13-4. GP also outshot FAL 101-72 in the series. Perhaps the most amazing stat is that neither team scored a power play goal in the two games: FAL was 0-13 and GP 0-10.
Regular Season Series History
FAL and GP first played in the 2007-08 season. The teams have played 18 times in regular season history: 9 times in GP and 9 times in FAL.
* GP leads the overall series 16-2, outscoring FAL 120-53.
* GP is 9-0 at home, outscoring FAL 60-24.
* GP is 7-2 on the road, outscoring FAL 60-29.
* FAL in 1-0 in OT/SO games, winning 6-5 at FAL.
* GP has shutout FAL 3 times.
* FAL has never shutout GP. [GP has scored at least 3 goals in every game.
Analysis
This will be the rubber series between the clubs with each winning once before in their playoff history. FAL’s shining moment was winning the title over GP in 2012.
FAL reached the semi-final by sweeping High Prairie and dominating the series. FAL outscored HP 37-12 and boasts six of the Top 10 playoff leading scorers despite playing only four games.
Meanwhile, GP disposed of the defending champion Fort St. John Flyers in five games, outscoring them 24-18. They also held home ice in winning three straight against a very good opponent.
Both teams boast tremendous star power. FAL has offence to spare with Trevor Mazurek, Dallas Brochu, Pat Rowan, Darren Kramer, Dakota Mason and company, but GP counters with Dennis Rix, Lyndin Lewis, Blake Clement and Braden Crone, plus gets loads of offence from defenceman Tyrell Mason and Andrew Buote.
Overall, GP has better depth and probably an advantage in goal. Kiefer Smiley wins Best Goaltender if not for someone named Braden Gamble.
In the playoffs, although FAL played a weak opponent, their power play was a sizzling 50% while their penalty killing was 22-for-28 or 78.57%.
Meanwhile, GP’s penalty killing was a fabulous 30-for 34 against FSJ, or 88.24%. Given FSJ’s star power, that is very impressive. Their power play, however, was a league worst 2-for-18 or 11.11%. GP will need more production than that vs FAL.
Prediction
No offence to FAL, but they are now playing a superior opponent. FAL does possess firepower but GP’s defence and goaltending is superb. FSJ discovered that. If you remember, I predicted FSJ to defeat GP based on the fact that GP would take a lot of penalties, and FSJ would capitalize. I had the penalties dead on, but did I screw up on the power play. GP was outstanding. If that trend continues vs FAL the Pirates have no chance. I think getting the lead is the key in this series. Both teams can be frustrated if you get ahead and that can lead to penalties. All said, the West is where the power resides in the NPHL until proven otherwise. GP to win in five.
Playoff Stats Package
Category Falher Grande Prairie
[Ranking in Parenthesis]Record 4-0 4-1
Power Play 10-20, 50.00% [1] 2-18, 11.11% [6]
Penalty Kill 6-28, 78.57% [4] 4-34, 88.24% [2]
Shots For 44.75 per game [1] 37.40 per game [3]
Shots Vs 29.25 per game [1] 32.00 per game [2]
Shots For/Against +62 [1] +27 [3]
PIM For 32.25 per game [5] 20.40 per game [3]
PIM Vs 33.25 per game [6] 12.40 per game [1]
PIM For/Against +4 [3] -10 [6]Regular Season Stats Package
[Ranking in Parenthesis]Category Falher Grande Prairie
[Ranking in Parenthesis]Record 14-9-0-1 [1-East] 13-4-3-0 [2-West]
Power Play 29-123, 23.58% [5] 22-92, 23.91% [4]
Penalty Kill 30-130, 76.92% [3] 29-115, 74.78% [5]
Shots For 43.00 per game [3] 44.80 per game [2]
Shots Vs 37.04 per game [3] 37.75 per game [4]
Shots For/Against +143 [2] +141 [3]
PIM For 22.58 per game [3] 28.15 per game [6]
PIM Vs 22.58 per game [3] 24.80 per game [5]
PIM For/Against 0 [4] -67 [5]
Scoring 1st 45.83% [5] 60.00% [2]
Record Scoring 1st Goal 7-4 [4] 10-2 [2]
Record Allow 1st Goal 7-6 [1] 3-5 [3]
Lead After 1 Period 9-4 [5] 10-0 [1]
Trail After 1 Period 2-5 [3] 3-4 [1]
Lead After 2 Periods 13-2 [5] 11-2 [6]
Trail After 2 Periods 0-7 [T5] 0-5 [4]
Goals Scored in 1st 2.21 per game [1] 1.65 per game [6]
Goals Scored in 2nd 2.25 per game [1] 1.85 per game [3]
Goals Scored in 3rd 2.04 per game [3] 2.65 per game [1]
Goals Allowed in 1st 1.42 per game [4] 1.40 per game [3]
Goals Allowed in 2nd 1.29 per game [4] 1.15 per game [3]
Goals Allowed in 3rd 1.88 per game [4] 1.00 per game [1]
Goal Diff in 1 +19 [1] +5 [4]
Goal Diff in 2 +23 [T1] +14 [4]
Goal Diff in 3 +4 [T3] +33 [1]
Come From Behind Wins 33.33% [1] 25.00% [T3]
Blown Leads 25.00% [T4] 20.00% [3]
Team Stick Fouls 4.46 PIM/Game [6] 4.60 PIM/Game [7]