Post Info TOPIC: Phantom Summer 2015-Report Card
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Phantom Summer 2015-Report Card
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As we all prepare to make arrangements and plans this Holiday weekend to watch fireworks, have campfires, hang out with friends and to celebrate our Nations Independence, I figured it would be the perfect time to release a report-card for the first half of our current Phantom season.  We are all aware of our perfect 4-0 record, which represents the only undefeated team in the 11-team Sunday circuit, but our record and success is far more greater than just eight points. 

One year ago entering to me what is the greatest holiday of the year; the Phantoms were struggling with a 0-5 record enroute to a winless 0-10 season.  This season, we enter with a perfect 4-0 record (a 100% turn-around) and come off a Winter 2014 season in which we posted a great 13-5 record.  The struggles we faced a year ago playing against top-notch teams has paid off and our bruised egos, frowned faces and disappointed heads last summer have grown into full smiles, proud teammates and increased skill this summer.  Everyone on this team last season, as well as this Summer have dug their skates in deep and are playing some of the greatest hockey the Phantoms have displayed in years.  Our new jerseys are making noise and our success has other teams bringing their all when they clash with the Phantoms.  The competition is strong and the energy and dedication our 4-0 record has demonstrated this season is a salute to every Phantom player who has played in a game this season. 

In just two months short of 13 years of Phantom Hockey, 49 Phantom teams have played hockey.  Our current 4-0 record stands as only one of nine Phantoms teams, who have been able to start a season 4-0.  I look across the bench and locker room to see the newer teammates of Pavol Fabian, Chris Laux, Dave Harper, Ryan Moore and Dan Datema, joining a rich Phantom tradition of players such as Matt Zehr, Brad Zehr and Chris Benedict to help assemble a terrific group of 16 to represent the Phantoms this season.  The youthful movement of Nate Skoboda, Andrew Erickson, Kyle Clark joining forces with the Veteran group of Tim Vanoverloop, Chad Manning and Matt Mead continue to create a push for Phantom success this season.  Our Captain Trent Kik and Assistant Matt Myers have been the back-bone of our recent turn-around and success and I feel as if these two leaders anchor the foundation that has allowed us to climb to a 17-5 regular season record over the past two seasons. 

It is not easy to face off against college teams and other groups of just recently graduated high school players, but this Phantom team is so rich, so talented and so deep, that we are reaching new heights and continuing the strong success this season that the Phantoms have displayed since 2002.  Of course our current league-leader status in penalty minutes is to be expected, but our power on the redline and strength on the blueline is proving all aspects of our 16-man roster are operating a near peak-performance.  Of our four wins thus far, three wins have come against teams that sit in the top-six of the league. 

So as we prepare to celebrate independence, honor the greatest county in the world and watch light-shows light up the sky, I just wanted to say that I feel I am among the greatest friends and greatest teammates I have played with.  Of course the report card for the Phantoms this season is Straight-As, but the strong bonds we share as a team, share as friends and share as bros means so much more.  Lets Light-Up-The-Sky this weekend and celebrate our Nations Independence and celebrate not only America but honor and salute those individuals, such as Chris Benedict, who have worked to protect our Nation and prove that we truly are the Home of the Brave!

 



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