The regular season came to a close for the Patriots Monday night, and for the first time in eight years the team did not advance to the playoffs.  Needing a win in its final game to earn post-season berth, Portsmouth was able to manage only a 2-2 tie with the East Greenwich Avengers in its final home game, and Seniors Night, at the Abbey.

The Avengers scored first just 41 seconds into the game, but soon found themselves in penalty trouble giving the Patriots three opportunities to skate with the man advantage.  Portsmouth capitalized on the third of those power plays as the team’s leading scorer, Matthew Harrigan, even the score with a goal assisted by Cam Hebert at 10:35.  The Patriots finished out the period killing a penalty of their own, but were successful in keeping the score knotted at 1-1 at the first intermission.

Early in the second period it was Portsmouth that had penalty troubles.  Three times in the first half of the period the squad skated shorthanded, but successfully shut down the Avengers’ power play.  With just over four minutes left in the second session, Portsmouth went back on the power play itself looking to break the game open an take the lead in the critical contest.  It was not to be, however, as East Greenwich jumped on a Portsmouth mistake handling the puck in its own zone and scored a shorthanded goal to take a 2-1 lead in the game.  Continuing on the power play, the Patriots came right back and evened the score again 18 seconds later.  It was Dallas Wynegar, assisted by Myles Arkins that put Portsmouth back in the game at 12:47.  The Patriots had one more power play opportunity as the period came to a close, but the Avengers defense was solid and the score remained 2-2 as the teams headed to the locker room.

Portsmouth had several good scoring opportunities in the third period, including a final power play, but were not able to take the lead in regulation time.  With the Patriots playing solid defense, backed by another strong performance from Ben Hood in the net, the game was sent to overtime.

The five minute overtime periods often provide enough extra play time for a winner to be determined.  Although, that was not the case in this game, and the extra session proved to be inconclusive, it was unique from the perspective of offering a situation rarely seen in overtime.  Needing the win - a tie being as good as a loss - Portsmouth pulled its goalie in the final minute of play to gain the extra skater.  The tactic, always risky because it leaves the net empty, is usually used only to make up a one or two goal deficit in an attempt to gain a tie in a close game.  That always occurs in regulation, never in overtime. But the situation for the Patriots was desperate, and worth the risk.  Unfortunately, adding the extra attacker was not successful, and the Patriots finished one point out of the playoffs.

The Patriots outshot the Avengers 32-19 in the game.  Hood had 17 saves.  Portsmouth was two for six on the power play and was successful in four penalty kills.

As traditional, the seniors playing in their final home game of the season were honored before the contest began.  The rink was decorated in Portsmouth team colors and posters of the seniors adorned the walls in celebration of the occasion.  Following an introduction of the seniors on the East Greenwich team, each of the Portsmouth seniors was recognized.  As their names were announced, Steven Vierkant, Dallas Wynegar, Cam Hebert, Matthew Harrigan, and Nate Brown each skated to the bench, presented his mother with flowers and had his picture taken with his family.