The 2019-20 hockey season came to an end for the Patriots Saturday afternoon at the Abbey when the team lost Game 2 of the quarterfinal round of the state championship tournament to the Lincoln Lions. 

 

Portsmouth got off to a good start with a goal late in the first period and another early in the second period.  The team’s leading goal scorer this season, Nik Pedersen, got the squad on the scoreboard first with assists by William Hayes and Noah Mendenhall.  That was followed after the first intermission by the Patriots second goal when Hunter Tavares deflected a shot by Mac Dunn into the Lions’ net to give the team a solid two-goal lead.  Dunn and Lucas Noreau were credited with the assists on the tally.

 

Although the team was up 2-0 early in the second period, things soon took a wrong turn.  The Patriots can be their own worst enemy at times, and that was just the case here.  The team was called for six penalties totaling 20 minutes during the second period.  The result was that Portsmouth found itself on the penalty kill four times in the period, including one long five-on-three situation.

 

Lincoln capitalized on its first two power plays, and managed an even strength goal in between them, as well.  In the space of eight minutes the Patriots had squandered their two-goal lead and found themselves down 3-2 as the period ended.  And then they caught a bit of a break.

 

Lincoln had been called for a minor penalty as time ran out on the second period.  During the intermission, the referees reevaluated the call and changed it to a major penalty.  Portsmouth would start the third period with a five minute power play.

 

It took only a minute and a half into the man-advantage situation for Max Dooley to hammer home the game tying goal assisted by Pedersen and Connor Little.  Then, because the player stays in the penalty box on major penalties even after a goal is scored, the squad continued on the power play.

 

With about a minute and a half left to go on the power play, the Patriots were called for another minor penalty that not only nullified the remainder of their power play, but also put them back on the penalty kill for a short time.  The shorthanded portion was handled fine, and the team pressed on with the score tied.

 

Portsmouth got one more power play opportunity late in the third period, but wasn’t able to get anything going and soon the clock ran out and with the score tied 3-3 the game headed to overtime.

 

In the playoffs, overtime periods are seven and a half minutes long and the teams skate four-on-four.  It took Lincoln only two minutes into the extra session to get the puck into the Patriots’ net and close out the best of three series two games to none.

 

Sam Stamoulis in goal for the Patriots had 34 saves including a number of terrific ones that kept his team in the game and gave them a chance to win.  Portsmouth had 23 shots on goal.

In all the game was well played by both teams.  In the end the seventh seeded Patriots, surely gave second seed Lincoln a bigger challenge than they expected.

 

While this season’s hockey games are finished, there are still some team events left on the schedule.  Next Sunday, March, 8, at the Providence Bruins game, the team’s own Max Dooley, and all the rest of the Hobey Baker Award recipients this season will be recognized.  In past years, most of the team would go to the game and sit together during the event.  For those wanting to attend, tickets can be bought directly from the Providence Bruins.  Tell them you are from Portsmouth and they should put everyone in the same section.  If not, just use texts to migrate to the same place and sit together - there’s always plenty of room.

 

That will be followed by the All-League Banquet to be held on March 18, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick.  This is the event where those selected as All-Division players and as members of the new All-Academic Team, will be honored.  Representing the team this year will be Connor Little, Gus Nightingale, Max Dooley, and Matt Lopes.  The event is open to anyone who wants to attend.  Tickets are $35 apiece (those receiving awards are free).  If you are interested in going contact Tom Lang as soon as possible; the deadline for sending in our team’s reservations is next Wednesday, March 4.

 

Finally the season capping event will be the team banquet.  The time, date, and place have not yet been arranged, but will be posted on this website’s home page as soon as the information is available.

 

Congratulations to the team on an exciting and fun season.  And thanks to all the families, friends, and fans who supported the squad through all the ups and downs of the campaign.

See you at the rink.