Portsmouth answered a late third period rally by South Kingstown by scoring two goals in the span of a minute and three seconds to defeat the Rebels by a score of 4-2 for the second time this season.  Although the Patriots had won the first game of the series in December the team entered the contest Wednesday night at the University of Rhode Island’s Boss Arena on a three game winless streak, while South Kingstown had been victorious in its previous three games.

After a scoreless first period, the Patriots took the lead with second period goals by Connor Little and Mac Dunn.  Gus Nightingale assisted on both goals, William Hayes got the assist on Little’s goal and Little helped on Dunn’s tally. Portsmouth had a comfortable two goal lead as the second intermission began.  But when the teams returned to the ice for the third period, South Kingstown was not done.

The Rebels responded with two goals, the second coming with just over three minutes left in regulation time, to tie the game.  Portsmouth roared back into the lead just a minute later behind a goal from Max Dooley, assisted by Ben McGowan.  When South Kingstown’s coaches pulled their goalie to the bench for an extra skater in an attempt to tie the game, Little ensured the win for Portsmouth with a shot into the Rebels empty net.  Nightingale picked up his third assist on Little’s second goal of the game.

All of the goals on the evening were scored at even strength.  The Patriots did not have any power play opportunities, but they were successful in five penalty killing situations.  Sam Stamoulis made twenty-eight saves in earning the win that moved the team a game over .500 for the season in league play.

Game Notes:  In addition to the team earning its first win in four games, it was a big night of firsts for several of the Patriots individually.  Mac Dunn, skating as a freshman on the team’s first line, scored his first goal in a Portsmouth High School uniform.  Max Dooley had his first game winning goal, and Gus Nightingale, with three assists, notched the first three-point game of his high school career.  There was also one big second worth noting as well.  It was Connor Little’s second three point game of the season.  Perhaps, even more interesting, though, both of his accomplishments were in games against South Kingstown, and in each game he had two goals on six shots, along with an assist.

Portsmouth plays its next game Friday at 7:00pm at the Abbey against the North Smithfield Northmen.  The game will be the second, and final, regular season contest between the two teams.  The Patriots will be looking for a win to move up in the tightly packed Division II race for the playoffs.  Come out and cheer for Portsmouth.  See you at the rink.