Portsmouth  hosted the red-hot Cumberland Clippers Sunday afternoon in a game that had been switched to the Abbey after being previously postponed.  Entering the game, Cumberland, who owns a share of the best record in Division-II this season,  had shut out five of its previous eight opponents while allowing only three goals along the way.  When the game was over the Patriots became the Clippers’ sixth shutout victim and although the loss extended Portsmouth’s losing streak in league play to six games, there were some positive aspects to the team’s performance.

The Patriots held the Clippers at bay throughout the entire first period and into the beginning of the second.  Aggressive play and good defensive work by all the Portsmouth skaters coupled with outstanding goal tending by Conor Struckman, kept the Clippers off the scoreboard and the Patriots solidly in the game.  When Cumberland did manage its first goal at three minutes into the second period, Portsmouth immediately returned to what had been working for the team in an effort to keep the game within reach.  And it worked until the Clippers notched their second goal of the game with only four seconds left in the second period.  Just when it had appeared that Portsmouth was about to head to the second intermission very much in the game with the powerful Clippers, the entire complexion of the contest changed.  The Patriots were suddenly down two goals against the team that had given up only three goals all season.  Cumberland capped its scoring with its third and final goal nine minutes into the third period and kept Portsmouth off the scoreboard through the end of the game.

Although he picked up the loss in the contest, Struckman had a terrific day between the pipes and deserves much of the credit for giving the Patriots a real chance in the game.  He had 41 saves in the game, many of which were good scoring opportunities for the Clippers.

The game was not all defensive action for the Patriots, though.  The team carried the puck into the Cumberland’s zone frequently, but the Clippers stifling defense held Portsmouth to only seven shots in the entire game.

The Patriots had one power play in the contest and were successful in two penalty kill situations.

The game marked the conclusion of the first half of the season for the Patriots.  The team’s league record currently stands at two wins and seven losses with 24 goals scored and 38 goals allowed.  The squad will be looking to get back in the win column next game, and contend for a playoff berth throughout the rest of the season.

Portsmouth will take on the Johnston-North Providence Co-Op team in its next game on Friday, January 31, at 7:00 PM at the Smithfield Municipal Rink.  See you at the game.