Portsmouth entered Game 2 of the Division II championship final series Saturday evening just as it had the previous two rounds of the playoffs; down one game to none and facing elimination in the best of three series.  And just like they did in those first two playoff rounds, the Patriots rallied to defeat their opponent, the North Smithfield Northmen, at Brown University’s Meehan Auditorium, to force a deciding third game.

 

Right from the opening faceoff, the Patriots came out much more aggressively than they had in Game 1; taking the play to North Smithfield.  But it was the Northmen who got on the scoreboard first with a power play goal at 3:07 into the first period.  Back at even strength, the Patriots didn’t let up.  Three and a half minutes after the Northmen took the lead, Portsmouth cashed in with a goal by Evan Alvanas that tied the game at one goal apiece.

 

Before the period ended Portsmouth had terrific opportunity to break the game open as the Northmen found themselves with two players in the penalty box at the same time.  Skating five on three for over a minute and twenty seconds, Portsmouth was unable to take advantage of the situation due to North Smithfield’s aggressive penalty killing.  Having weathered the Patriots power play, North Smithfield grabbed the lead once again with 1:31 remaining in the period, and carried a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

 

It took Ben O’Hearn, only 27 seconds into the second period to even the score for the second time in the game, as he took a short rebound off a shot by Alvanas and stuffed it into the Northmen’s net.  Less than a minute and a half later an unusual incident gave the Patriots the lead for the first time in the game

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With North Smithfield in possession of the puck, a delayed penalty was called against Portsmouth for tripping.  Under the delayed call, play would continue until the Patriots touched the puck.  With the Northmen secure in the fact that Portsmouth could not gain control of the puck without a whistle to stop the play, the coaching staff pulled their goalie to gain an extra skater.  Looking to buy time to set up their play, a North Smithfield player skating in the neutral zone sent the puck back into his own end of the ice.  The pass was missed by its intended receiver, and slid all the way to the end of ice and into the Northmen’s empty net.  Without touching the puck, the Patriots had gained the lead in the game for the first time.  Kyle McGowan was credited with the unassisted tally at 1:46 into the period which boosted his team ahead of North Smithfield.  But the lead was short lived.

 

When play stopped after the Northmen scored the goal for Portsmouth, the referees assessed the delayed penalty on the Patriots.  Skating shorthanded for the second time in the game, Portsmouth held its opponent at bay for over a minute before North Smithfield’s power play knotted the score for the third time in the game with a goal at the 3:45 mark.

 

Penalties in the two games of this playoff series have had a devastating effect on Portsmouth, as the potent North Smithfield power play has produced four goals in five opportunities for the team while skating with the man advantage.

 

Portsmouth’s relentless offense charged right back and responded with goal by Arkins that turned out to be the eventual game winner.  The tally at 5:09 of the second period gave the Patriots a 4-3 lead and wrapped up all the scoring for the night.

 

All of the goals in the game were scored in just over the first twenty minutes of play.  Both teams had a number of good scoring chances in the remaining portion of the game, but neither was able to capitalize on its opportunities.

 

Matt Nordhill played an exceptional game guarding the net for Portsmouth, and was the key factor in keeping the Northmen off the scoreboard for over a period and a half after his squad’s final goal.  Along the way he stoned a Northmen skater on a breakaway, and withstood over a minute and a half of six on five offense after North Smithfield pulled its goalie near the end of the game.  Finishing with 18 saves on 21 shots, Nordhill logged his fifth win of the playoffs.

 

O’Hearn, Alvanas, and Arkins, all members of Portsmouth’s top scoring line, each assisted on the other’s goals on the way to the victory.  O’Hearn finished the game with a goal and an assist, while Alvanas and Arkins each had a goal and two assists.  Noah McHugh also picked up an assist on Arkins goal.  Arkins’ game winner was his third of the playoffs..

 

The Patriots’ victory tied the playoff final series at one game apiece and forces a deciding Game 3 to determine which team will be the 2016 Division II State Champion.  The winner-take-all contest will be played next Monday, March 28, at 6:00 pm, once again at Brown University’s Meehan Auditorium.

 

In its journey through the playoffs this season, the team has faced the challenge of five elimination games on its way to this point.  In each case the squad found what it took to prevail in order to earn the upcoming final shot at being named the state champions.  All of those games were critically important, and now the final test looms.

 

Monday’s Game 3 will be your last opportunity to see the Patriots hockey team in action this season.  It’s been a wild ride, full of great hockey.  This is a game you can’t miss.  You need to see it, and the Patriots need you there to cheer them on to one more win this season.  Get to the game and join the fun.  One last time this season… see you at the rink.