The Portsmouth hockey team ran its season opening win streak to three games Sunday afternoon at the Abbey.  Facing off with the previously unbeaten South Kingstown Rebels, the Patriots skated to an 8-3 victory in the first of two meetings scheduled between the teams this season.

 

In command of the game from the opening faceoff, the Patriots’ day of big scoring produced several milestones for the team’s skaters.

 

Leading the squad with three goals and two assists, Andrew Alvanas notched his first hat trick and his first five-point game as a Patriot.  Among his three tallies was the eventual game winning goal.  In addition to his scoring success, he displayed remarkable talent in the face off circle, taking nearly half of the team’s draws and winning over 72 percent of them.

 

It is a special treat to see a player complete a hat trick.  It is unusual to see two players do it in the same game.  Aidan Toner accomplished that uncommon feat with his three-goal contribution to the Patriots’ scoring.  It was the second hat trick of his high school career.  The three goals moved him into a share of the top spot among the team’s goal scorers this season.

 

Joey Levreault capped the goal scoring for Portsmouth with two tallies, his first goals of the new season, then added an assist for his second consecutive three-point game.  His second goal, worthy of the highlight reel, came on a clean breakaway midway through the second period.

 

The overall leading scorer for both the team and all of Division II, was well, Shane Temple, added thee assists to his total during the game.  He has had three or more points in each of the team’s games so far this season.

 

Ben West’s two assists marked the sophomore forward’s first multi-point game.

 

Rounding out the scoring in the game, Steve Madden, Dan Biello, and Hayden Krzych each added one assist for the team’s efforts in the win.

 

Working the other end of the ice, Steve Dutra guarding the goal crease made 21 saves and skated off with his third win of the season.

 

The team will now take a break from league play until after the New Year, but they won’t be idle during the holidays.  On December 28-30 the squad will play thee games in Prout’s Crusader Christmas Classic tournament, to be held at Providence College’s Schneider Arena.  Portsmouth previously played in the tournament in 2019 and 2020, and was scheduled to play in 2021 and 2022 until the tournament was canceled due to COVID.   The tournament is unique in that it brings in teams from out of state to face off with those from Rhode Island.  This year Portsmouth is due to play the team from St. Rita of Cascia High School – a private, all boys, Catholic prep-school in Chicago, and the co-op squad from Dighton-Rehoboth / Seekonk High Schools.  The Patriots opponent on the final day of the tournament will be determined by the results of all the games in the first two days of the event.

 

Come out and see the games.  Good fun is in store for everyone.

 

See you at the rink.