Portsmouth shut out the Narragansett Mariners 12-0 Friday night at Thayer Arena in Warwick.  With the victory the Patriots won the season series against the Mariners three games to none.  It was the only sweep Portsmouth completed this season against its six D-II South rivals.

The Patriots scored five goals in the first period, five in the second, and two in the third.  Portsmouth outshot Narragansett 30-29 in the contest.  The team’s scoring production was spread throughout the squad; 12 players either scored or assisted on goals.  Matthew Harrigan led all Patriots with four goals, including one shorthanded,  and two assists for a six point night.  Chris Oliveira was close behind with two goals and three assists for five points in the game.  Two players had three point nights; Pat Spero with two goals and an assist, and Nick Martens with three assists.  Ryan Goulart found the back of the Narragansett net twice; his first two goals of the season.  Rounding out the goal scoring for Portsmouth, were Kyle Alvanas and Dallas Wynegar with one tally each.

Portsmouth had four power play opportunities in the game and scored on one of them.  The team also killed three penalties, and added a goal while shorthanded once.

Matt Maggiacomo started the game and played two periods in goal for the Patriots.  With the team up 10-0, Conor Struckman took over between the pipes at the beginning of the third period.  Maggiacomo turned back 18 shots, and Struckman had 11 saves as the two net minders combined on the shutout. 

Every player on Portsmouth’s bench saw action in the game.  Once it became clear, early in the contest, that the Patriots were in complete control, players who have had only limited ice time in the games this season were out for regular shifts.  It was a special night for one player in particular as he made his game debut in a Patriots uniform during the competition.  Anthony Guilianelli, a forward in his first season playing hockey, skated several shifts in the second and third periods.

Portsmouth plays its final game of the regular season tonight at 7:30 PM at the West Warwick Civic Center.  The team will finish its schedule against the opponent it started the campaign with in December: The Prout School Crusaders.  Prout took that first game 5-3, but the Patriots roared back at the Abbey two weeks later to beat the Crusaders by the same 5-3 score.  Since then, Prout has gone on to clinch first place in D-II South.  At stake tonight for Portsmouth is third place in South.  The team is in a close race with South Kingstown for the slot and the all-important playoff seeding that comes with it.  A win for the Patriots locks up third place.  With the final standings on the line, this is sure to be an exciting game.  Don’t miss it.  Head to the rink tonight and root for Portsmouth.  See you there.