Portsmouth picked up an important win in its march to the playoffs Sunday afternoon at the Abbey by downing PSW 4-0.  By defeating the cooperative team from Providence Country Day, Saint Raphael Academy, and The Wheeler School, the Patriots assured themselves of a playoff berth, and gave a boost to their  efforts to finish high in the standings.

After a scoreless first period, defenseman Mike Alves got the Patriots on the scoreboard at 5:41 of the second period with a blistering shot from the blue line while the team was on a power play.  Alves, Portsmouth’s leading goal scorer, was assisted on the tally by fellow blue liner Jack Cavanagh.  While that goal turned out to be the eventual game winner, it was Nolan O’Brien who put his team firmly in control of the outcome with a pair of goals just sixteen seconds apart later in the second session.  The first, came as he chipped in a rebound from another long range shot by Alves at 11:14.  Along with Alves, Connor Little was credited with assisting on the goal.  O’Brien followed that up with an unassisted tally at 11:30 to make the game 3-0.  Christian Schenck added the Patriots final goal early in the third period when he broke into the PSW zone and beat the net minder unassisted at the 3:32 mark.

Portsmouth’s penalty killers were once again an important factor in the victory.  Although the team’s seven minor penalties resulted in only four PSW power plays, two of them were long five-on-three situations.  The special defensive teams backed up by the Patriots’ league leading goalie, Matt Nordhill, kept their opponent off the scoreboard despite their offensive advantage.

At the final buzzer Portsmouth had outshot PSW 25-18.  The team’s eighth victory of the season moved the squad into sole possession of fourth place in the Division II standings with four games remaining on the regular season schedule.

Game notes:

Schenck’s goal was his third in five games since returning to full duty with the team.  Coupled with his two assists during that span The Captain has averaged a point a game since his return.

The win was the fifth time the squad has shutout its opponent in the last eight games, and established a new team record for shutouts in a regular season.  The old mark of four shutouts was set last season by the combined efforts of both Nordhill and Gage Aguiar.  This season’s five shutouts also extends the team’s individual goalie regular season mark, held by Nordhill, and pushed his team record, career shutout total to eleven games.

With school out for winter break, the Patriots will spend the week preparing for two important games next weekend.  Friday, at the Abbey, the squad will meet the league leading Barrington Eagles for the second and final time this season.  The undefeated Eagles are an offensive minded team that has poured in ninety-two goals so far this season - twenty five more than the next highest scoring team in Division II.  Portsmouth’s defense will face a serious test, but it is one they can rise to.  And Barrington can be scored on.  If the Patriots can keep the game close they just might be able to surprise their opponent.  Although the game is at the Abbey, Portsmouth will be the visiting team..  The opening faceoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

Saturday night Portsmouth will have a rematch with PSW at the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket at 7:30 pm.  Not this is a change from the original later start time.  The game will be another important one for the Patriots as they look to build their standing in the playoff rankings.  Plan now to see both games and root for Portsmouth.  See you at the rink,