The Portsmouth High School Patriots (7-3) hosted the Toll Gate High School Titans (2-10) at the Portsmouth Abbey on Sunday evening. Freshman Kyle Alvanas was the key contributor for the Patriots, scoring three goals and assisting on another as Portsmouth shuts out Toll Gate 7–0.

The scoring began just :43 into the first period as Portsmouth’s Mike Maggiacomo received the setup from teammate Mackenzie McDonald, then proceeded to skate from the opponents blue line, juking and skating around and through defenders along the way, and fired in a shot on goal which ended in the back of the net for a 1 – 0 lead.

A little over four minutes later, Matt Abraham teamed up with Kyle Alvanas for the Patriots second goal. Abraham took the initial shot, but was deflected by Toll Gate’s goalie, right to Alvanas standing in front of the net. Alvanas backhanded the puck right into the wide open net. Patriots lead 2 – 0.

With 70 seconds remaining in the first period, Matt Abraham took possession of the puck deep in Toll Gate’s zone. Abraham skated past three Titan defenders en route to the net. Approaching the goal, he skated around the left side, firing the puck from six feet, past the goalie and into the top left corner of the net. The period concluded with the Patriots taking a 3 – 0. Shots-on-goal totaled 13 for Portsmouth and eight for Toll Gate.

The second period resulted in the same outcome as the first; all-around domination from the Patriots. They controlled every aspect of the game, from fore-checking to speed and shot attempts. 

Just 2:45 into the second period, Kyle Alvanas scored for the Patriots on the assist from Matt Abraham and Eric Eaken. Just three minutes later, Matt Abraham lit the lamp for his second goal of the game. That goal was assisted by Mike Maggiacomo and Henry Lang. 

The Patriots remained persistent in getting the put in the zone and looking for shots.  They compiled 24 shots-on-goal in the second period alone, compared to Toll Gate’s 8. Two period totals resulted in the Patriots attempting 37 and the Titans 16. The second period ended with the Patriots holding a commanding lead, 5 – 0.

The third period continued along its current pattern, with the Patriots scoring multiple goals and out-shooting and out-skating the Titans. 

Aaron Towers struck first for the Patriots in the period. Assisted by Kyle Alvanas and Cameron Hebert, Towers capitalized on a deflection from Toll Gate’s goalie, drawing the goalie out of the crease, leaving Towers with a wide open net to flip in the forehand shot. The goal was scored 1:35 into the third and final period.

With a 6 – 0 lead, the Patriots continued to play hard and refused to back-off or lower their guard. With just 28 seconds to play in the game, the Patriots found themselves directly in front of their opponents net fighting for the puck.

Touching the puck included Matt Abraham and Kyle Alvanas. Alvanas fired the puck past the goalie for the Patriots seventh goal of the night. Alvanas recorded the hat-trick with that goal, bringing the crowd to their feet, while a small group of aspiring young hockey fans followed in hockey tradition, throwing their hats onto the ice celebrating Alvanas’ feat.

Top performers of the game included Kyle Alvanas scoring 3 goals and 1 assist, Matt Abraham with 2 goals and 3 assists and Mike Maggiacomo, recording 1 goal and 1 assist. 

Additionally, goalie Matt Maggiacomo for recording the shut-out in the net for the Patriots. Thanks to Maggiacomo and goalie Steven Souza, the Patriots have the least amount of goals scored against (GA), in Division II South play (25).

                                                      1          2          3          T

Portsmouth Patriots           3             2             2              7                    

Toll Gate Titans                    0             0            0              0         

Portsmouth: M. Maggiacomo, K. Alvanas (3), M. Abraham (2), A. Towers

The Portsmouth Patriots hockey team will host Narragansett High School (1-6) Friday, Jan. 28, at the Portsmouth Abbey rink.