The Phantoms ended a two-game losing skid on Sunday as the Yellow Shirts impervised to take claim to a 8-6 victory over the Ghostbusters to capture the team's first play-off victory of the season. In an almost scary setting, the Phantoms spotted the Ghostbusters a 3-0 lead by the end of the first period, the same deficit that the Phantoms found themselves in during the last meeting against the Ghostbusters back on December 16th. It would take until the second period for the Phantoms to find their offense, an offense that has struggled to this point in the play-offs posting a mere 5 goals in two games. However, the team would get on the board with 12:51 remaining in the middle stanza, as Brian Doctor would connect on a Trent Kik pass to narrow the score to a 3-1 Ghostbuster lead. That Phantom goal would be just the beginning, as the Phantom's newest offensive threat Nate Tyler would tally a goal 1:29 later to bring Phantom Nation to with-in one. With Trent Kik having an assist on both of the first two Phantom goals, the team's 'Home-Boy' would continue to work to bring his Phantoms back. That work would pay off roughly 5 minutes later as Trent would tally his first of the night to tie the game at 3-3. Just like the Phantoms have displayed countless times in their Lazerskate showings, the Phantoms are a team that bounces back after a rough start. However, the rally would be short-lived as the Ghostbusters would tally a pair of goals late in the second period, including their second power-play goal of the night with 9 seconds remaining to seize a 5-3 lead after two periods. The Phantoms work would not be over. As the Phantoms began the third period, they would looking to of course post another come-from-behind victory, but were also hoping to send Howie's to the Championship game. A Phantom victory would achieve both. Jason Devroy would kick the third period rally into gear with a Phantom goal early in the third period. The Biohazard product would continue his offensive display 1:18 later as Matt Zehr would set-up Devroy with his second goal of the night to tie the game at 5-5. The Phantoms would continue their third period rally 27 seconds later as Nate Tyler would score his second of the night off a Brad Zehr pass to give the Phantoms their first lead of the night at 6-5. Brad Zehr would then go from assist-man to goal-scoring-man 1:27 after he set up Nate Tyler, as Brad would add an insurance goal to the Phantom's now 7-5 lead with 8:54 remaining in the game. The Ghostbusters who watched the Phantoms tally four goals in 3:09 were stunned but not done, as the Rockford Crew would attempt to mount their comeback 50 seconds after the Phantom's seventh goal to narrow the Phantom lead to 7-6. However, Jason Devroy would ruin their comeback, as the Phantom star would notch his third goal of the night with 6:30 remaining to give the Phantoms a 8-6 lead. As Devroy skated back to the bench, he would put his arm out and ask for tips, as the former BioHazard player tallied his second hat-trick of the season for the Phantoms. The Phantoms were without the services of Gordie Anderson and Casey Rosenberg who were scratched due to a flat snow-mobile trailer tire, as a result of rough driving from Gordie. Ty Coon was scratched with a injury that will keep him sidelined for a couple of weeks. Mike Shaver and Matt Myers were again no-shows for the Phantoms. Former Phantom Rivertown player Brett Smith returned to the rink after two years off for conditioning. Brett is ready to return full time as a member of the newly created Jr. Phantom team. The Phantoms were out-shot 41-30 on the contest, what else is new. The Phantoms were ticketed for 5 minors for 10 minutes, while the Ghostbusters were ticketed for 2 minors for 4 minutes. Of note, the Ghostbusters tallied three power-play goals on the night. The Phantoms will enjoy a week off as the club will not return to action until Sunday, Feb. 17th.
