The West Michigan Phantoms opened up the post-season in grand fashion on Sunday defeating the Red Devils 9-2 in the process.  The Phantoms used goals from five different marksmen to tally their third consecutive victory against the Red Devils this season.  As has been the case for several months, the Phantoms continued the teams tradition of surrendering the games first goal, which was incurred 48 seconds into the contest.  However as the team has displayed countless times before, the Men of Phantom Nation would respond in short order 2:16 later as Scott Vandonkelaar would receive a pass from Chris Benedict to put the Phantoms on the scoreboard.  The Phantoms would again achieve pay dirt with roughly five minutes remaining in the opening period, as Gordie Anderson would set up Chris Benedict to give the Phantoms their first lead of the night at 2-1.  The Phantoms would close out the period one goal ahead of the Red Devils at 2-1.  In the second period the Red Devils would respond on a delayed penalty call as the Phantom offense and defense would all be sandwiched on the left wing leaving a Red Devil player to unleash a rocket just inside the Phantom zone giving the Red Devils the equalizer at 2-2.  The Phantoms would continue their pressure and their skillful play would pay off with a pair of goals 49 seconds apart to put the Phantoms back in the lead, a lead that they would not relinquish.  Chris Benedict would again connect on a Gordie Anderson sweet-dish-feed to give Benny his second goal of the night and a 3-2 Phantom lead.  Seconds later, the Phantoms Matt Zehr would score from behind the Red Devil net to increase the Phantom lead to 4-2 (Brad Zehr and Trent Kik would tally the assists).  Following the second period the Phantoms were out shooting the Red Devils 16-11.  In the third period, the Phantoms would break the game wide open with five goals in the span of 9:17.  Chris Benedict would lead the charge off a Brad Zehr pass to increase the lead to 5-2.  Gordie Anderson would tally his goal less than a minute later off a Chris Benedict pass to advance the Yellow Shirts to a 6-2 lead.  The Phantoms would strike with a power-play goal with 6:16 remaining in regulation, as Trent Kik would set up Casey Rosenberg for his first of the night and a 7-2 lead.  As the frustration level of the Red Devils continued to mount, the Phantoms remained calm and collected.  With 2:34 remaining Scott Vandonkelaar would tally his second of the night unassisted to increase the offensively charged Phantoms to an 8-2 lead.  Late in the period a Red Devil player would try to get the Phantoms Casey Rosenberg to square dance deep in the Phantom zone, however the Phantom firefighter would take no part in the dance.  While the Red Devil player would be banished with a minor penalty for roughing and a fighting major, Casey would escape unscratched with a mere roughing penalty.  With just a dime of time remaining in the period, the Phantoms would complete the scoring as Scott Vandonkelaar would complete the hat-trick to give the Phantoms a 9-2 victory (Matt Zehr and Chris Benedict would get the assists).  As mentioned, the Phantoms victory over the Red Devils marks the third straight by the Phantoms during this Spring 2008 season.  During the contest the Phantoms out shot the Red Devils by a 24-17 margin.  On the Nautys Penalty Minute Board, the Phantoms were served 6 minors for 12 minutes, while the Red Devils were ticketed on 7 penalties for 17 minutes.  The Phantoms will return to action next Sunday to continue their quest for the teams fourth championship.