The Patriots came out on the short end of a 7-1 thrashing in a penalty filled game last night at the Abbey when they hosted the Cranston West Falcons.

After a good start to the game, Portsmouth held the league’s scoring leaders at bay until the team’s penalty troubles began late in the first period.  The Falcons jumped ahead with two power play goals before the period ended.

Penalties surged in the second period with twelve being called between the two teams.  Portsmouth took advantage of a power play opportunity to pull within one goal of the lead with a tally by William Hayes, assisted by Niklas Pedersen and Connor Little.  But before the period ended Cranston West stretched its lead back to two, once again, with a short-handed goal less than a minute before the intermission.

The penalty problems subsided in the third period, but by then it really didn’t matter.  The Falcons ran up three goals at full strength in the span of just one minute and thirty-seven seconds to take a commanding five goal lead less than three minutes into the period.  Cranston West’s final tally came shortly after the mid-point of the period after which the team held off the Patriots until the final buzzer.

Game Notes:  The Patriots and Falcons combined for 105 penalty minutes in the game.  Portsmouth’s share of that total was 75 minutes, the most ever for a PHS hockey team in a single game.  The goal by William Hayes was the first in a Portsmouth uniform for the junior defenseman.  The game was the first ever between Cranston West and Portsmouth.  Until this season the Falcons had always played in a division above the Patriots.

Next on the schedule for Portsmouth are the Cumberland Clippers, this Saturday, February 2, at 3:30 pm at the Abbey.  Celebrate Ground Hog Day with the Patriots as they look to even the series with the Clippers after losing the first game at the beginning of the campaign.  Portsmouth will need to play its best hockey as Cumberland is currently undefeated and in first place.  Get out and support the team at the game, and cheer for the Patriots.  See you at the rink.