It does not take a scientist to know that Oil and Water do not mix. At Lazerskate, it does not take a die-hard fan to realize that the Phantoms and Red Devils also do not mix. On Sunday, the Phantoms and Red Devils clashed during the final game of the regular season and to everyone's expectations there was plenty of scoring and plenty of extra curricular activities to keep everyone's heart pumping until the final buzzer. Since the Phantoms debut in Cedar Springs back in the Fall of 2006, these two teams have shared very little love loss between one another. With the Phantoms having been inflicted with four straight losses to the Red Devils entering this contest, not only were the Yellow Shirts looking to end that uncharacteristic stat, but looking to salvage the regular season at a record of 5-5. It did not take long for the Phantoms to exert some of the team's offensive pressure, as Phantom newcomer Jason Devroy would tally a pair of goals just 3:21 apart to stun the Red Devils with a Phantom 2-0 lead. The Phantoms would not stop there as the Norton Shores Fire Department stand-out Casey Rosenberg would lite the red lamp minutes later to increase the lead at 3-0. Another Norton Shores city worker would continue the Phantom assault with a mere 40 seconds left in the opening period, as Gordie Anderson would strike with a timely goal to close out the period with the Phantoms enjoying a large 4-0 lead. As the second period opened, the Red Devils would gain some life as the Devils would score 3:36 into the middle stanza to narrow the Phantom lead to 4-1, however, the Phantom's Jason Devroy would answer back minutes later with his third of the night to restore the Phantom 4-goal-grip at 5-1. To the Phantoms, that large margin during the mid-point of the game appeared to be welcome news. However, that welcome news would turn sour fast, as the Red Devils would rattle off three goals in the final 6:13 of the period to close out the second period trailing 5-4. As the final 16:00 minutes of the contest began, both team's played a great defensive battle. Very few scoring chances would take place in the third period, that until the Phantom's Ty Coon capped a monumental goal with 5:52 remaining to add the insurance tally to the Phantom's scoreboard giving the Phantoms a 6-4 lead. The Red Devil's pressure would begin to mount, knowing that they must answer quickly if they had any hopes to achieve a rally. That pressure would pay off as the Red Devils with their goaltender pulled would strike with 27 seconds remaining to narrow the Phantom lead to 6-5. Following that goal, the tensions and attitudes that had been mounting would erupt like a fight at the Chicken Coop. Minutes after the altercation began, player sticks, gloves, helmets and I believe one piece of chicken gizzard littered the Phantom defensive zone. Following the sentencing of penalties from the veteran officiating crew, the Phantoms Casey Rosenberg and an unnamed Red Devil player would be escorted to their respective locker rooms and five minor penalties would be handed out (2 to the Phantoms, 3 to the Red Devils). Following the return to action, the Phantom defense and offense would play smart during the final 27 seconds to secure the win for the Phantoms. On the game, the Phantoms and Red Devils combined for a total of 38 penalty minutes (17 to the Phantoms, 21 to the Red Devils). Shots on goal were even at 25 apiece for each club. The Phantoms played without the services of Matt Zehr, Mike Shaver and Matt Myers. For the Phantoms, Jason Devroy again tallied a hat-trick with 3 goals and 1 assist on the night. Casey Rosenberg, Gordie Anderson and Ty Coon each tallied a singleton. On a side note, while the fights in the third period were occurring and while the penalties were being sorted out, members from the Bronze-League Sawbones and Black & Gold teams were at the rink door shouting phrases like 'Get the Game Over With' and 'Just call the game'. The Funny thing is this is Phantom Hockey and both of these two team's (Phantom and Red Devils) are expected to meet again next week in the first round of the Play-offs. Phantom Hockey...We Are The Phantoms!
