Portsmouth’s five game unbeaten streak came to an end Thursday evening, February 1, at the Abbey when the team lost to the Rogers - Middletown - Rocky Hill Cooperative squad by a score of 3-2.

Always the biggest game of the regular season for both teams, the large crowd of fans that  packed the Abbey saw an exciting and well-played game by both squads.  The Patriots provided a stiff challenge for RMR, but came up a goal short against their league leading opponent who was only a little bit better that night.

RMR got off to a quick start scoring just twenty-one seconds after the opening faceoff.  They added another goal midway through the period to take what began to look like a commanding position on the scoreboard until Portsmouth’s Connor Little cut the lead in half with the Patriots’ first goal of the game.  Little was assisted on the tally by Jack Cavanagh.

Although there was no scoring in the second period, the Patriots appeared to be controlling more of the play as the game progressed.  But whatever momentum the team throughout that period suffered a blow shortly after the face-off to begin the final session.  Once again Portsmouth was slow to start at the beginning of a period, and for the second time in the game RMR took a two-goal lead, scoring at just 1:22 into the period.

The Patriots went back to work and again began to develop control of the game.  Mid-way through the period a bid to narrow the scoring gap to a single goal for the second time in the game was denied on a controversial call by the referee.  Nolan O’Brien, in front of the RMR goal, deflected a rising shot into the net.  As the players began to celebrate the goal, the referee indicated the puck had been redirected by a high stick, therefore invalidating the goal.  The score remained 3-1 with half a period left to play in regulation time.

RMR ran into penalty trouble late in the game, taking two minor penalties in the final five minutes of the period.  The resultant power plays came at a good time for the Patriots as the clock began to become a factor in the game.  Cashing in of the first man-advantage situation, Matt Marion scored with three minutes remaining to make it a 3-2 game.  Portsmouth’s leading scorer, Cam Mello, picked up the assist on the goal.

Forty seconds later the Patriots were back on the power play.  Despite several good scoring opportunities the team was unable to get the puck past RMR’s league leading goalie, Peter Dickinson, even with the extra skater on the ice.  As the clock wound down to less than a minute remaining, Portsmouth pulled goalie Matt Nordhill to gain a two-man advantage, but the team was still unable to tie the score before the final buzzer sounded.

Although Portsmouth lost, the scoreboard, as frequently happens, does not tell the full story of the game.  In this case the squad played exceptionally well against the top team in the division.  Head Coach Bryan Kriner commented after the game that the Patriots’ effort would have beaten any other team in the league that night, a compliment to both his unit’s play and to their opponent for what it took for them to earn the win.

Portsmouth outshot RMR 21-17 in the contest.  Nordhill had 14 saves.  The Patriots notched one goal on four power play opportunities and was perfect on three penalty kill situations.

The loss dropped the Patriots record back to .500 with seven games remaining in the regular season.  The team is currently in a tie with Lincoln - East Providence for fifth place in the standings, but has a game in hand over the Lions.  The squad is only one point behind fourth place PSW.  Portsmouth also has a game in hand over PSW, and is scheduled to play them two times later this month.

Game note:  Prior to the start of the game the team held a brief ceremony to re-retire a replica of the jersey bearing the player number 1 which was worn by George Thomas, a goalie on the inaugural Patriots hockey team during the 1986-87 season.  Thomas was diagnosed with cancer shortly after that season, and passed away in November 1987 at the age of 16.  The original number 1 jersey worn by Thomas was retired by the team during Portsmouth’s second season, but was subsequently lost over the years since then.  The drive to re-honor the memory of Thomas was spearheaded by forward Nolan O’Brien.  As part of his senior project, it was coupled with a successful effort to raise funds for a donation to the Tomorrow Fund, an organization which provides financial and emotional support to children with cancer, and their families, in conjunction with the Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence.  The officially retired jersey will be enshrined in a place of honor in Portsmouth High School.

The Patriots are back on the ice again Saturday evening, February 3, at 7:30 pm at the Abbey for the second and final regular season meeting with South Kingstown.  Portsmouth defeated the Rebels 2-1 in a close game just two weeks ago.  This will be an important game for both squads as the playoff picture begins to take shape for the league.  Portsmouth will be looking to start a new winning streak and move up in the standings as the final third of the regular season approaches.  Plan now to head to the Abbey to see some great high school hockey and to cheer for Portsmouth.  See you at the rink.