Tim Jackson scored on a power play at the 5:00 minute mark of the first period.  It was the Patriots only goal in the game, but it was more than enough as the team shutout the North Smithfield Northmen at the Rhode Island Sports Center, this afternoon.  The match-up, which had originally been scheduled for January 7 but was postponed because of the snow storm that day, became the final game of the regular season for Portsmouth.

Gage Aguiar made nine saves as the Patriots outplayed the Northmen the entire game.  Kyle McGowan and Michael Adkins picked up the assists on Jackson’s goal.

The win locked the team into sixth place in the final standings.  That means the squad will face the number three seed in the first round of the state championship playoffs, but just which team that will be won’t be determined until the final D-II game of the season between Coventry and Ponaganset is completed Sunday evening. What is certain is that it will be either Ponaganset or Toll Gate.  In either case, the Patriots’ next games will be next Friday and Saturday, March 3 and 4.  The first game will be at the home rink of Portsmouth’s opponent, while the game Saturday will be back at the Abbey.  Times have not yet been determined.  Since the quarter-final round is a best of three game series, if the teams split their first two games, a winner-take-all final contest will be held on Monday, March 6 to determine which team advances to the semi-finals.

The times and places for each of the games will be posted on this website as soon as they are available.  Meanwhile keep your schedule open for those evenings so you can make it to the game and root for Portsmouth.  This is what the team has been working for all season.  It’s playoff time!  Get out and support the Patriots as they work to return to the State Championship finals once again, this year.

See you at the rink.