It was exactly 28 years, 4 months ago to the day that the United States Hockey team asked everyone if they believed in miracles when they defeated the Soviets 4-3 in the medal round at the Olympics in Lake Placid. On Sunday, June 22, 2008 another miracle would take place, only this time it wasnt for a trip to the next round, but rather for a championship. In a game that featured so many similarities to the USA/Soviet game of 1980, the Phantoms and Howies would meet one more time and the winner would become the Silver division champion at the Lazerskate Sports Plex. Howies entered the contest having won the previous three championships at Lazerskate and owned the Phantoms with a 4-0-0-1 record during the season. According to many around the rink, the Phantoms were considered the underdogs. However, to the eight skaters and goaltender that proudly wore the Phantom crest, they knew this was their time.
The Phantoms would open the games scoring 5:16 into the opening period as Trent Kik would bring the large number of Phantom fans to their feet, as the Sparta native received a pass from Brad Zehr to put the Phantoms on top at 1- 0. That lead would not last long, as a bad break-down deep inside the Phantom zone would allow Howies to capitalize and tie the game at 1-1. As the period continued, both the Phantoms and Howies would play an all-out style of hockey and that intensity would come to play a huge role in the game as Special Teams would capture numerous goals by nights end. With Howies being called on a tripping infraction, the Phantom power-play would be sent into action. It would take the Yellow Shirts 40 seconds to connect, as Chris Benedict would set-up Casey Rosenberg for a goal, reinstalling the Phantom lead at 2-1. With the clock ticking down, Howies would even the contest with just over a minute remaining in the period to tie the game at 2-2 after one period of play. Howies would out-shot the Phantoms 15-11 in the opening period.
As the puck dropped to begin the second period, the Phantoms again came through. Casey Rosenberg (assists to Trent Kik, Chris Benedict) would tally his second of the night on the power-play to again re-install the Phantom lead at 3- 2, a mere 23 seconds into the period. Howies would answer back roughly three minutes later as Jason Koole would match Rosenbergs efforts with his second of the night to tie the game at 3-3. Howies would not be done, as with the Phantoms Gordie Anderson in box for hooking, the Howie powerplay would connect on a strike giving Howies their first lead of the night at 4-3. As if the Phantom lesson was not learned, Howies would get another crack of the power- play minutes later as the Phantoms Scott Vandonkelaar would be stewed with a high-sticking penalty. With just 11 seconds left on their powerplay, Howies would come through again to climb into a 5-3 lead. The powerplay marathon would continue, only this time the Phantoms would be presented the extra attacker, as Howies would be inflicted with a hooking penalty. It would take the Phantom Crew 1:05 to connect, as Gordie Anderson would strike with an unassisted tally to narrow the Howie lead to 5-4. Just like Howies displayed in the first period, the Phantoms would answer late in the second. Trent Kik would knock home his second of the night (assist to Scott Vandonkelaar) with 3:29 remaining in the second period to tie the game at 5-5 for the Phantoms. Following the first period, the game was tied. Following the second period, the game was still tied. Howies out shot the Phantoms 13-11 during the second period.
In the third period, the Phantoms would climb out to a two lead early. Trent Kik would connect on a Chris Benedict pass 5:05 into the third period giving the Phantoms a 6-5 lead. Roughly 1:30 later, the Phantoms Matt Zehr would connect (assists to Nate Tyler and Gordie Anderson) on his first of the night giving the Phantoms a 7-5 lead. However, as was displayed in the second period, no two-goal lead was safe. Howies would come roaring back. The Calvin College kids would connect on two goals 1:11 apart to tie the game at 7- 7. With just the 7:23 remaining in the game both teams knew the next goal could very well crown a champion. The Phantoms would get their chances early and then Howies would get theirs late in the period. With the clock down to roughly two minutes, the Phantom netminder who has had struggled against Howies this season would play his very best frame of the season. The Phantom crease defective would not allow Howies to steal the show as Wootton would remind everyone that is hard to beat a train. The netminder would use his head, skate, stick and other necessary equipment to deny Howies on 4 perfect scoring chances. The first period ended up tied, the second period ended up tied and it would be only fitting for the third period to end in a tie. Howies out shot the Phantoms 16-7 in the third period.
The energy and enthusiasm was extremely thick at the rink. Another 16:00 was added to the scoreboard for the overtime stanza. The next goal would set up a perfect hockey scenario, an overtime goal for a championship. As the Phantom s prepared their lines and players for the attack, they were ready. With the drop of the puck, all four players raced like a speeding train towards the Howie s goal. A loose puck and a perfect stick would be all it took for the Phantoms as none other than Chris Benedict would find the biscuit and tap it over the goal line, giving the Phantoms an 8-7 win and the championship. The celebration was on and the Phantoms made the most of their championship celebration.
The championship is the fourth in the teams 22 season history and the second at Lazerskate. On the game, Howies out shot the Phantoms 44-30. The Phantoms were ticketed on five penalties for ten minutes, while Howies received four for eight minutes.
