The Patriots took on the Barrington Eagles Friday evening at the Abbey and came out on the short end of a 3-0 decision.  Portsmouth played well but the Eagles demonstrated why they are the number one team in the league this season.

The Eagles own the best power play in the league and used it to score their first goal with just a minute left in the first period.  The Patriots then held their opponent scoreless through the entire second and headed into the intermission trailing by only a single goal.  Barrington added an even strength goal four minutes into the third period to make it a two-goal game and then added an empty netter with fifteen seconds remaining in the game.

Portsmouth was outshot 22-42 in the contest.  Matt Nordhill in goal for the Patriots had 39 saves on 41 shots.  The team allowed one goal on five penalty kill situations and failed to score on two power play opportunities

Game notes:

With the top three goal scorers in Division -II on the roster the Eagles have averaged over six goals per game and have not scored less than four in any contest this season - until last night.

The game was only the fourth time in the last nine seasons in which Portsmouth allowed more than 40 shots in a game.  The first two occurred during the 2013-14 season, and the third was versus Ponaganset last month.  Nordhill is the only Portsmouth goalie to have faced more than 40 shots in two games.

Next on the schedule for the team is a rematch with PSW tonight at the Lynch arena in Pawtucket at 7:20 pm.  The Patriots defeated PSW last Sunday at the Abbey.  Tonight’s game will be the second and final game between the two teams.  With only three games remaining in the regular season this rematch with PSW is a critical game for the team in its final push for playoff seeding.  Get out to the rink and cheer for Portsmouth.   See you at the rink.