Having started the season with just a single victory in the team's first three starts, the West Michigan Phantoms have ramped up their efforts and come on strong as of late to extend their winning streak to four games. The most recent notch in the belt occurred on Sunday, as the Men of Phantom Nation poured three goals in the final period down the throat of the Puck-Ups to earn a 6-3 victory. In doing so, the Phantoms continue their spirited assault up the bronze league standings and currently reside with a 5-2 mark through the first seven games of the season. On Sunday, the fierce clash between the Phantoms and Puck-Ups would continue. During the three most recent meetings dating back to last season between these two foes, an overtime shoot-out was needed to resolve the decision. During the start of this contest and all the way to the end of the second period, it appeared that we where again in great position to witness the overtime show. The Puck-Ups would crack open the score sheet late in the opening period as an innocent looking shot from the point managed to beat the netminder for a 1-0 Puck-Ups lead. Minutes later with 1:23 remaining in the opening stanza, Chad Manning would set-up Tim Czycyk to deadlock the contest at 1-1. In the second period, it would be the Phantoms who struck first. Matt Mead would set-up Justin Calkins for his fifth of the season just 3:20 after the center-rink face-off. Yet, just like in the first period, the opponent would answer right back. Just 1:29 later, the Puck-Ups would bring the contest to an even stale mate at 2-2. Late in the second period, Phantom netminder Kevin Wootton would dish the puck off to Chuck McCloud on the Phantom right wing. McCloud would chug up the board and set-up Tim Czycyk who would just bury the biscuit in the Puck-Up goal as the Phantoms regain the lead at 3-2. Just 50 seconds later, the Puck-Ups would answer back on an odd-man rush into the Phantom zone and with just 1:01 remaining in the middle stanza, both teams were tied up at 3-3. Following the second period, the Puck-Ups held the shot advantage over the Phantoms 18-16. As the two teams squared off at the face-off dot for the start of the third period, it would be the Phantoms who appeared to receive a energy boost during the intermission. Tim Vanoverloop would give the Phantoms their third lead of the night (assisted by Brad Zehr and Chad Manning) just 55 seconds into the third period, giving the Phantoms a 4-3 edge. Several minutes later, the Phantoms Tim Czycyk would complete his three-goal hat-trick (unassisted), giving the Phantoms their first multiple goal lead of the game. Late in the third period the Puck-Ups would lift their netminder for the extra attacker. Despite great continued pressure deep in the Phantom zone for nearly the last 1:30, the Puck-Ups would be unable to narrow the contest. Matt Mead would put the finishing touches on the Phantom victory with 11 seconds remaining in regulation, as the long-time Phantom would whisk the puck into the empty net for his first of the season and a 6-3 Phantom victory. As mentioned, the victory pushes the Phantom record to 5-2 on the season. This marks the fourth straight contest in which the Phantoms have clipped the Puck-Ups for the victory. On the game, the Puck-Ups outshot the Phantoms 24-21. On the Nauty's Penalty Minute Board, the Phantoms managed to escape the eyes of the referees during the contest, as the Yellow Shirts completed their first game of the season without a penalty. The Puck-Ups were ticketed with a single minor for tripping in the third period. The Phantoms will return to action on February 8th to tangle with Brain Dudek and Donkey Punch. Face-off is set for 5:00pm.