There was no slowing down the West Michigan Phantoms as the team returned to play on Sunday to open up their double-header Sunday at Lazerskate Sports Plex in Cedar Springs. Despite an excellent and very fun evening the night before near the Hardy Dam in Newaygo, the Phantoms would not let the after effects of alcohol stand in their way of capturing another victory against Howie's. Despite trailing 2-3 after the opening period, the Men of Phantom Nation would continue to battle the Howie's team who entered Sunday's game with a three-game-win-streak intact. Strikes by Brad Zehr and Casey Rosenberg in the middle of the second stanza would continue to keep the Phantoms in and game of 'cat and mouse' with Howie's. Yet, with a mere 1:17 remaining in the second period, Scott VanDonkelaar would connect to commence second period scoring with the Phantoms and Howie's deadlocked at 5-5. In the third period, the Phantoms would send what eventually would be the knock-out punch to Howie's, as Trent Kik connected on a Brad Zehr centering pass only 58 seconds into the third period to continue the Phantom rally and put the Phantoms on-top 6-5. Near the middle of the third period, the Phantoms would begin to walk a high-wire-act, as the Phantoms would be ticketed for two penalties, putting a very high scoring Howie's team on a two-man advantage for a full two minutes. Yet, the Two-Man Phantom Penalty Killing Unit, along with netminder Kevin Wootton would put on a clinic for the vast array of Phantom fans and the entire Lazerskate audience as the Phantoms completed the short-handed experience without a single puncture wound. Brad Zehr connect on his third of the game with 6:22 remaining and Derek Reid would connect 1:12 later to increase the Phantom lead to 8-5. Despite a late Phantom penalty, the Phantoms would steal another victory away from Howie's, becoming the only team to capture two wins against Howie's in a single season dating back to last season. The Phantoms received goals from Trent Kik (2), Brad Zehr (3), Casey Rosenberg (1), Scott VanDonkelaar (1) and Derek Reid (1). Phantom goaltender Kevin Wootton played a game that one Phantom player stated was 'the best game he has ever seen Woot play' and several Howie's players also gave their high-marks to Wootton who was able to turn aside 44 of 49 shots from Howie's. Even the rather loud and critical Phantom Fan Section could be heard screaming 'Great Save Woot' and 'Woot Woot' as the Phantom Net Detective managed to Sprout Rubber Limbs on Demand flashing his glove and flopping around like a fish out of water. The Phantoms managed to get outshot by Howie's 49-21. The Phantoms were ticketed for 7 penalties for 14 minutes and Howie's was ticketed for 4 penalties for 8 minutes.
