Laaadies and Gentlemen, direct your attention to the hockey rink to witness the Amazing West Michigan Phantoms perform another dangerous walk of the high wire act and compile another amazing rally to close out this amazing evening. If there was an announcer at the Lazerskate Sports Plex this would be the opening intro for the Phantoms, an intro that is very fitting for a team that continues to play with fire in the ammo shed. On Sunday the Phantoms returned to the rink in hopes of rebounding from a disappointing performance against the Red Devils a week ago. Yet despite trailing 1-0 after the first period, the Phantoms would suffer another setback during the early stages of the middle stanza, as the Revolution would tally another to increase their lead to 2-0. While most teams have a hard time coming back in a game, the Phantoms have made a living out of it, especially at Lazerskate. Minutes after the Revolution climbed into what they thought was a commanding 2-0 lead, the Phantoms struck paydirt. Trent Kik recorded his sixth goal on the season to put the Phantoms on the board. (If you have never heard of the expression 'paydirt', starting listen to Terry Ficorelli this fall!) Minutes later, the Zehr Connection managed to set up the Phantom's leading scorer Casey Rosenberg to even the contest at 2-2. A comeback that allowed the numerous Phantom fans in attendance to make some noise and create a rather healthy battle in the stands as the Revolution fans and Phantom fans cheered loudly for their respective teams. The Phantom hopes of a rally would be annulled, this time, as the Revolution would strike in the late second period to close out the period with a 3-2 lead. In the third, the Phantoms would again tie the game, as the team's Ferris State University star Scott VanDonkelaar would record his fifth of the season. Gordie Anderson would connect from a Derek Reid pass to seize the Phantom's first lead of the night at 4-3. With 4:19 remaining in the game, Brad Zehr would send a perfect pass straight down center boulevard to Casey Rosenberg who easily turned on the after burners and exploded into the Revolution zone unchallenged and unleashed a roof-top rocket towards the net heavens to extend the Phantom lead to 5-3. 1:34 later, the Revolution would muster another strike to bring them back to within one goal with 2:45 remaining. Strong pressure and a lot of scoring chances by the Revolution in the final minutes would create a very entertaining and spirited contest. Yet, their hopes for a comeback would not come true as the Phantoms dug in and captured their third victory on the season 5-4. The Phantoms, as has been customary for the team the past two seasons, was outshot by the Revolution 38-33. The Phantoms were ticketed for four minor penalties for eight minutes. Three of those penalties to Casey Rosenberg and the other to Speed Skate Nate Tyler. The Revolution were ticketed for three minors for six minutes. The debut of Matt Myers did not take place as expected, as he was the only scratch for the Phantoms. The Phantoms would like to say thanks to the group of eight that joined us at the Crazy Horse after the game from some drinks and food. The team will have next Sunday off and then return for a double header on Sunday, August 12th against Howies and the Eh Team. Like us or not, this is Phantom Hockey and We Are The Phantoms!
