The Division-II leading Lincoln Lions have not lost a game this season.  Their near perfect record is tarnished only by a single tie game that occurred the second time they met their D-II North rival, Coventry.  The Lions, which were a Division-I team prior to this year, have proven themselves to be the dominant team in the league this season.  Friday evening at the Lynch Arena, they closed out their regular season schedule by shutting out Portsmouth 3-0.

Despite the challenge of facing the team that will be the number one seed in the playoffs, Portsmouth was up to the task.  While it is not apparent from the final score, the Patriots played well and kept themselves in the game until the final minute of the third period.  The squad’s performance against the Lions, which got stronger as the game progressed, was an important marker as the Patriots prepare to make their final bid for a playoff berth on Saturday and Monday.

In the first period, the Lions came at the Patriots hard and dominated the play.  For most of the period they kept the puck in the Patriots’ zone and did not give Portsmouth much opportunity to mount any serious offense.  At 4:04 into the game, Lincoln opened the scoring, taking the lead on a shot from the left circle that Portsmouth goalie, Ben Hood, got a piece of, which then trickled into the net behind him.  After that first goal, the Lions continued their pressure, but Portsmouth’s defense, with solid backing from Hood, answered the challenge and prevented further damage.  Lincoln ended up outshooting Portsmouth 13-3 in the first session, but the Patriots withstood the test and were still in the game.

The contest became much less one-sided during the second period.  The Patriots made whatever adjustments were necessary, and were able to generate more offensive action, while continuing their solid defensive play.  Portsmouth appeared to become stronger and more effective as the period progressed.  Although the Lions outshot the Patriots 9-7 in the period, it was clear that the overwhelming dominance they displayed at the start of the game had been countered by the Patriots.  The score remained 1-0 in favor of Lincoln at the end of the second period.  Portsmouth was very much in the game as the team headed to the locker room for the second intermission.

Portsmouth began the third period the way it finished the second, but of course, the Lions had not given up.  At 2:32 Lincoln capitalized on a mistake by the Patriots that resulted in a breakaway.  Lincoln’s leading scorer, Ryan Krohto, skated in alone from the blue line and beat Hood to make it a two-goal game.  Shortly after the goal, the Lions found themselves in penalty trouble and Portsmouth had its best opportunity to close the scoring gap.  Despite a good effort, the Patriots were unable to solve the league’s top goalie, David Jessey, in the net for the Lions.  Portsmouth played Lincoln even the remainder of the period with both teams notching 14 shots in the final session.  With 1:20 remaining in the game, Lincoln took a penalty that produced a final good opportunity for Portsmouth to make it a one-goal game once again.  Already with a man advantage on the power play, the coaching staff pulled Hood from the goal for an extra skater, giving the Patriots a two-man advantage.  Thirty seconds into the power play, Lincoln was able to clear the puck from their zone.  One of the Lions charged after the loose puck, got to it, and shot it into the Patriots empty net for the final goal of the game.

Although Portsmouth lost to the best team in the league, there was a lot to be encouraged about in the way the team played.  The performance bodes well for their chance to still earn a playoff berth in the state championship tournament which will begin early next month.

Portsmouth’s season is now down to the final two games, and the Patriots need to win both to have a chance for a playoff berth.  First up are the North Kingstown Skippers tonight at 7:00 PM at Thayer Arena in Warwick.  The Skippers, currently the leader of D-II South, have already secured a spot in the playoffs.  Portsmouth will be motivated and ready to prove they belong in the post-season as well.  This is going to be good game, so get there and don’t miss the action.  Come on out and cheer for the Patriots as they drive for the playoffs.  See you at the rink.