Portsmouth lost to the opening game of the playoffs to the number two seeded Lincoln Lions Friday evening by a score of 4-2 at the Rhode Island Sports Center.

The game was competitive, well played and much closer than the final score indicates. The Lions did not take the lead until three and a half minutes remaining in the third period, and then added an empty net goal with less than a minute remaining. 

The Lions got on the scoreboard first at six minutes into the second period.  They then took a two goal lead 30 seconds into the third period.  Down two goals in the final regulation period, one might be forgiven for thinking that the situation looked grim for the Patriots.  After all, Lincoln  had allowed its opponents to score more than two goals in only three of its sixteen league games this season.  But the Patriots didn’t quit.

Just a minute and a half after Lincoln’s second goal, Portsmouth roared back with two goals in the span of 16 seconds to even the score at two goals apiece.  Connor Little struck first, assisted by Gus Nightingale.  Little then assisted on a tally by Nik Pedersen and, and the squad was completely back in it with twelve and a half minutes to play in regulation.

When Lincoln eventually scored the game winning goal, it was on a power play.  Portsmouth largely stayed out of the penalty box with just one minor infraction called in the first period, and two in the third, but against a high scoring team like the Lions, it was just too many times to tempt fate.  The league’s leading goal scorer, Colby Acciardo cashed in on the man advantage to put his team ahead for good.

Portsmouth pulled its goalie, Sam Stamoulis, for an extra skater with under two minutes left, and Lincoln scored the empty netter on a clearing shot from deep in their own zone.

Lincoln outshot the Patriots 29-18 in the game.  Stamoulis allowed three goals on 28 shots.

The best of three series continues Saturday at 2:00 pm at the Abbey with Game 2.  A win on the Patriots home ice will force Game 3 on Monday.  Come out and cheer for Portsmouth.  See you at the rink.