For the second time in less than a week the Patriots knocked off PSW, the cooperative team from Providence Country Day, Saint Raphael Academy, and The Wheeler School, this time at the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Saturday evening.  Portsmouth took the game by a score of 5-2, scoring three of its goals while shorthanded.

 

 Tim Jackson had a big three point night notching two goals, and an assist. One of his goals was scored while the team was shorthanded on a penalty kill.  Jack Cavanagh had a goal and an assist.  His goal, a shorthanded lob into an empty net from deep in the Patriots zone, was his first tally of the season.  Both Jackson and Cavanagh were on the ice for all five of the team’s goals and earned a remarkable +5 plus-minus rating for the game.

 

The Patriots other shorthanded goal came of the stick of Nolan O’Brien, while Christian Schenck added one while the squad was at full strength to round out the scoring.  Schenck’s goal, his fourth of the season turned out to be the eventual game winner.

 

All Star goalie Matt Nordhill had another solid night in the crease making twenty saves while allowing only two goals.  Both of PSW’s goals came during power plays, in one of which they had a was a four-on-three advantage.

 

Portsmouth had only a single power play opportunity during the entire game and was unable to convert it to a point on the scoreboard.  On the other side, the squad needed the services of its penalty killers on seven occasions, two of which PSW was able to capitalize on.

 

Game Notes:

 

The start time of the game was delayed for about an hour and twenty minutes because of significant damage to the ice from leaving the Zamboni unattended on the sheet while the driver dealt with a serious fan altercation during a mite league game earlier in the day.

 

PSW held its senior night celebration prior to the warmup for the game.  Portsmouth’s seniors, as a group, were congratulated on their accomplishment before the ceremony moved on to feting the five PSW seniors playing in their last home game of the regular season.

 

The win was important because it further refined the emerging playoff possibilities.  The Patriots can now finish as high as third place in the final standings, but also no lower than fifth place.  The final outcomes will be determined next weekend as Portsmouth and the rest of the league wrap up the regular season.

 

The team will finish out the current campaign next weekend with two games.  Friday evening, March 2, the squad will meet Coventry at the Abbey in an important game for both teams.  It’s winner take all for third place in the playoff seeding.  It will also be the occasion of the big senior night celebration.  And big it will be as the Patriots recognize the nine seniors from Coventry and then move on to the introductions of the teams own twelve seniors participating in their final regular season game on their home ice.  The ceremony will begin at 5:30 pm, followed by the game at 6:00 pm.  Both the ceremony and the game will be terrific.  Don’t miss either one.

 

Saturday, the team will return to the Benny Magiera Ice Rink at the West Warwick Civic Center, the place where it began the current campaign way back in early December.  There the squad will play its final game of the season against the East Greenwich Avengers.  Although the Avengers were winless last season, and have not had a victory in the current campaign, the Patriots will not take them lightly.  In fact they will be very prepared as they do not want to be the first team to lose to East Greenwich in two years.  Plan to head to the game and root for Portsmouth as it finishes the season and heads to the playoffs the following week.  See you at the rink.