Since the Middletown Islanders hockey team moved from Division III to Division II last season, the team has become more than Portsmouth’s rival, it has become the Patriot’s nemesis.  In four games during those two seasons the Patriots have yet to beat the Islanders on the ice.  In three of those previous four games the Patriots carried the lead into the third period, only to see it vanish in the face of Middletown’s efforts late in the games.  And so it was, once again, on Saturday night at the West Warwick Civic Center Arena.  The Patriots came away from the game with a tie after surrendering a two goal lead midway through the third period in what was the third and final regular season meeting with the Islanders.

Middletown scored first in the contest at the 8:15 mark of the first period.  The Patriots pulled even when Myles Arkins scored on a Matthew Harrigan rebound while playing shorthanded at 13:29.  The goal was the fourth time Portsmouth had scored while on a penalty kill this season.

Portsmouth took the lead early in the second period when Pat Spero scored on the power play at 2:57.  Harrigan and Steve Souza picked up assists on the goal.  The Patriots increased their lead just 38 seconds later when Spero helped Souza beat the Islanders net minder to make the score 3-1.  Souza, a senior, and the former backup goalie for the Patriots, has been skating as a forward for the last five games.   The goal was the first of his high school career.

Portsmouth’s lead lasted until the middle of the third period.  Both the Patriots and their fans could be forgiven for recalling Yogi Berra’s famous quip, “It’s like deja-vu all over again,” as Middletown roared back with two goals in the span of a minute and 45 seconds to tie the game.  The  two teams played the remainder of the third period, and the subsequent five minute overtime session, without further scoring.  When the final buzzer sounded the score was tied at three goals for each team.

The Patriots have played four games this season that have gone to overtime, and three of them have been with the Islanders.  In the series Middletown had the edge with one win against two ties.

The Patriots outshot the Islanders in the game 35-28.  Portsmouth goalie, Matt Maggiacomo, had 25 saves.  The Patriots scored one goal on five power plays, and not only successfully killed off three penalties, but scored a shorthanded goal while doing so on one of them.

Defenseman Cam Hebert sustained a cut from a skate on an upper arm, late in the overtime period, that required a trip to the hospital for stitches.  His status is not known at this time.

With the tie Portsmouth remains in third place in the standings with 20 points, one point behind Middletown in second with 21.  First place is currently held by Prout with 24 points.  Each of the teams has three games remaining before the playoffs begin, and each of them still has the possibility of finishing atop D-II South.

The Patriots next game is with the South Kingstown Rebels, next Saturday, February 18.  Game time is 8:00 PM at the Thayer Arena in Warwick.  It will be the third and final regular season match-up between the two squads, and the season series is on the line.  The Patriots won the first game and the Rebels took the second contest in overtime.  The game is also an especially important one for Portsmouth as a win will earn the Patriots a spot in the playoffs which begin next month.  In fact, a victory against the Rebels will not only secure a playoff berth for Portsmouth, it will also assure that the Patriots finish the season in at least third place, or higher, in D-II South, with the top four teams making the playoffs.  All that considered you won’t want to miss this game.  It is certain to be an exciting contest, so get out to the game and support the Patriots.  Hope to see you there.