The West Michigan Phantom's post-season success came to an end on Sunday as the Yellow Shirts fell to the Hawks by the final of 7-4. Despite a very close contest for much of the game, the Hawks would gain ground on two goals in the span of 1:10 in the third period, followed by two goals (one empty net goal) in the final two minutes of the game to take claim to a 7-4 victory over the Phantoms. The match-up that created a very large crowd was a thrilling clash for two teams in the hunt for a trip to the championship game, however, for the Phantoms the game would end disappointingly as a few meltdowns would end the play-off hopes for the Yellow Shirts. The Hawks would get on the board early in the game, as a Hawk forward would penetrate the Phantom defense and from the left side of the Phantom netminder would manage to slip the puck between the five-hole of the goaltender to take claim to a 1-0 lead. The Phantoms would answer back with a Keith Mooreman strike (assisted by Chad Manning) with 9:33 remaining in the opening period to deadlock the contest at 1-1. Chuck McCloud would give the Phantoms the lead with 4:11 remaining in the period, as the former Grandville Gator would receive a perfectly executed pass from Tim Czycyk to put the Yellow Shirts in front 2-1. Following the opening period, both teams were deadlocked at 8 shots apiece. In the second period, the Hawks would respond late with a pair of goals 3:38 apart to rally back and take claim to a 3-2 lead. Both of the Hawk's goals in that span would occur on breakaways that originated from near the center red line. With just 28 seconds remaining in the period, the Phantom's Tim Czycyk would strike with a short-handed goal to lift the Phantoms into a 3-3 tie after the opening 32 minutes. In the second period, the Phantoms out shot the Hawks by a slim 8-6 margin. In the third period, the Phantom's Third Period Curse would show its ugly head. Despite the Phantom's Chad Manning giving the Phantoms a 4-3 lead 1:59 into the period (assisted by Justin Calkins), the Hawks would rally right back with two goals in the span 1:10 to jump ahead and into a 5-4 lead. With time (and other factors) against the Phantoms, the team would attempt their own comeback rally, but with 1:47 remaining in the period a Hawk shot from near the well-visioned Blue Line would deflect off a Phantom player in front of netminder Wootton and find its way to the back of the net, giving the Hawks a huge 6-4 lead. In a last ditch effort to achieve some momentum, the Phantoms would lift their netminder for the extra attacker. Despite two shots on the net, the Hawks would capture an empty net goal with :59 remaining in the game to seize a 7-4 lead, a lead that would hold steady until the final buzzer. On the game, the Phantoms out shot the Hawks by a 25-22 margin. On the Nauty's Penalty Minute Board, the always 'I Do Nothing Wrong Hawks' escaped without a single minor, while the Phantoms were ticketed with all three game penalties. The Phantoms played without the services of Brett Smith who was at work enjoying the Griffin's afternoon home game. As mentioned, the Phantom's will bow out of the championship game for the Bronze league which will take place next Sunday. As has been mentioned before, the Phantoms would like to wish the Junkyard Dawgs the best of luck in their hunt for the championship, as it will be the Hawks and Junkyard Dawgs playing for the Bronze championship. As for the Phantoms, the team will have one more game remaining on this Summer 2008 season. That game is expected to take place this coming Sunday. Every player and their friends are encouraged to join the Phantoms this Wednesday at 7:00pm at the Van Andel Arena to watch the Grand Rapids Giffins take on the Crunch.