Since the West Michigan Phantoms joined the Bronze league back in the Spring of 2008, the Junkyard Dawgs have been the opponent that has created the most exciting and most thrilling games in the team's short Cedar Rock history. On Sunday, both teams combined for yet another classic showdown, a showdown that many on the Phantoms are classifying as the most thrilling game yet. Both the Phantoms and Junkyard Dawgs feature a line-up of incredible offensive strength, a very strong defensive core and netminders that are among the best in the league. With all these similarities, it is no wonder why both teams were ready to play and no wonder why several on-lookers enjoyed a end-to-end game. In the opening period, a total of 14 shots would be directed towards the Masters of the Crease; 7 towards each netminder. Yet, after the opening period the score would be deadlocked at 0-0. In the second period, a total of 15 shots would be directed toward the goaltenders. Just like as the close of the first, the second would end still deadlocked at 0-0. The shut-out duel would continue until 6:20 remaining in the third period, when Junkyard Dawg forward Santos Placentia would capitalize on what appeared to be an innocent looking shot towards the Phantom netminder. With the Dawgs ahead 1-0, the Phantoms would try to muster a strike. Roughly five minutes would pass and still the Phantom offense would be denied. With just over a minute remaining, a Junkyard Dawg clearing attempt would send the puck straight down center boulevard towards the Phantom goal. Phantom netminder Kevin Wootton would race towards the puck in the effort to catch the Dawgs off guard. A lazer-guide pass to a Phantom forward near the Dawg bench would be intercepted by Kraig Brown of the Dawgs. The Junkyard Dawg leading scorer would then race on a 2-0 breakaway towards the Phantom goal as the Phantom netminder retreated to the crease. The ensuing breakaway would allow Brown to net his 13th goal of the season and give the Junkyard Dawgs a huge 2-0 lead. If your a goaltender, you know that the word 'shut-out' is a word that you never want to hear, let alone think of. However, a comment by a Junkyard Dawg defenseman towards his netminder would be all it took to begin the end of the Phantom's inability to net a goal during the game. With the face-off deep inside the Dawg zone, the Phantoms and Dawgs would enter the final minute of the game. A battle in front of the net would allow the Phantom's Tim Czycyk to find the puck and unleash a roof-top rocket into the back of the net trimming the Junkyard Dawg lead to 2-1 with 41 seconds remaining. On the ensuing face-off, the Phantoms would gain control and skate the puck deep into Dawg territory, allowing the Phantom netminder to be lifted for the extra attacker. The extra-man-band for the Phantoms would not yield much success as the Phantoms would muster only a single shot during their game seeking opportunity. The Junkyard Dawgs would manage to net an empty net with 9 seconds remaining in the game to seize a 3-1 lead. The victory improves the Junkyard Dawg record to 9-1 and lowers the Phantom record to 5-4. Lifetime, the Junkyard Dawgs climb into a 2-1 lead over the Phantoms in the lifetime series. On the contest, the Phantoms out shot the Dawgs 26-20. On the Nauty's Penalty Minute Board, the Phantoms were ticketed for two minors for four minutes, while the Dawgs were ticketed for three minors for six minutes.
