The Phantoms improved to 2-0 at Lazerskate on Sunday during games that close out the calendar year, as the Yellow Shirts defeated the Grand Valley State University B-Team 8-3. One year ago, the Phantoms routed the Puck-Ups 7-1 to close out 2006. These two most recent calendar closers (2006 and 2007) have both occurred at Lazerskate, ending a disastrous drought in which the Phantoms recorded a mere 1-3 record in calendar closing games at the former venue of Rivertown Sports. As for the 2007 closer, the Phantoms would receive help from the entire team, as six of the eight dressed Phantoms would tally goals for the Phantoms and every skater would each notch at least a point on the score sheet. The Phantoms who skated below the well-liked number of ten would have only eight players dressed for the contest. Despite the reduced man-power for the Phantoms, the team would display a great group effort during the first two periods as crisp-clean passing would be garnished with great positioning and great speed. During the third period the Phantoms would begin to retreat to an individual style of play, which allowed the Laker B-team to tally two goals during the third period. The GVSU team would play extremely shorthanded, as only four skaters would be in the line-up during the first two periods. Because of the lack of Lakers, the Phantoms allowed the team to pick up a few players for the third period, however, only one additional skater would managed to be added to the squad during the third period. As for the Phantoms, six different marksmen would tally goals for the Phantoms; Casey Rosenberg (1), Gordie Anderson (1), Matt Zehr (1), Trent Kik (1), Matt Myers (3), Nate Tyler (1). For Nate the Great, the Grand Rapids resident would tally his first goal for the Phantoms this season and Matt Myers would strike with his second hat-trick of the season. While Brad Zehr and Mike Shaver would not record a goal during the contest, the defensive players received points on assists, as Mike tallied one assist and Brad tallied four assists for the victors. The Phantoms outshot the B-Team 31-25. Both teams were ticketed for two minors apiece on the Nauty's Penalty Minute Board. The Phantoms improved to 3-5 on the season and increased the team's longest winning streak of the current season to two games. The team will return to the friendly confines of the Lazerskate Sports Plex next Sunday during the annual 'Turn Back the Clock Night.' Game time is set for 5:00pm against Howie's. Players are reminded to bring their 'Ground Zero' or gray/black jerseys to the game, as the Phantoms will 'Turn Back the Clock' and dress in their dark grays.
