Portsmouth’s bid to end its losing streak was undone by its penalty killing which gave up two power play goals to the Johnston / North Providence Panthers Friday night at the Smithfield Municipal Rink.  The Patriots have now lost their last seven league games, and their last nine games overall.

After a scoreless first period, Portsmouth got on the scoreboard first with Myles Arkins’ second goal of the season.  Alec Roderiques got control of the puck along the boards near the left corner and shoveled a perfect pass across the front of the goal to Arkins who slapped it into the open right side of the net.  In addition to Roderiques, Kyle McGowan was also credited with an assist on the goal.

The Patriots lead was short lived, however.  Just over a minute later, the Panthers evened the score on a power play, but that was not the end of Portsmouth’s penalty problems.  As the second period wound down the Patriots found themselves skating two men short.  The team managed to get out of the period without giving up another goal, but the penalties did not expire before the  of the second intermission.

The teams began the third period with the Panthers, once again, skating five on three.  This time The Patriots were unable to compensate for the disadvantage, and just sixteen seconds into the period Johnston / North Providence took the lead with its second power play goal of the game.  Despite having nearly the entire third period remaining, the Patriots were unable to solve the Panther’s goalie a second time, and the game ended with Portsmouth on the losing end of the 2-1 score.

The Patriots outshot the Panthers 33-17 on the night.  Portsmouth had a number of good scoring opportunities, but the Johnston/North Providence goalie was solid the entire game.  Conor Struckman in goal for the Patriots had 15 saves in the game.  Portsmouth had seven penalty killing situations in the contest, two of which resulted in the  Johnston/North Providence goals that cost the Patriots the game.  Portsmouth had four power plays but were unable to score with the man advantage.

Portsmouth’s next game is this evening, Saturday February 1, at the Boss Arena on the campus of the University of Rhode Island.  Game time is 7:00 pm.  The Patriots will face the East Greenwich Avengers in the only regular season meeting scheduled between the two teams this year.  This will be a “home game” for the Patriots, so get out an cheer them on to victory.  See you at the game.