The West Michigan Phantoms, in conjunction with the Cedar Rock Puck-Ups,are very excited and thrilled to announce that the two-time defending Bronze Champion Hawks will not three-peat as league champions this season. On Sunday, the Hawks faced-off in a double-header against the Puck-Ups and Phantoms. It appears that their 'lucky' streak from the past two seasons is done, as both the Puck-Ups and Phantoms captured victories against the Hawks. For the Phantoms, the Yellow Shirts behind the strength of four goals, including a rare assist by Darren Skuse, were able to keep their composure and fend off the Hawks and the officials to come away with a 4-2 victory. In doing so, the Phantoms raised their overall season record to an impressive 8-3-0-1. During the on-going play-offs, the Phantoms remain unbeaten with a 2-0 record. The Phantoms wasted no time on Sunday before leaving their mark on the scoreboard. Tim Vanoverloop (with an assist to Darren Skuse), would put the Men of Phantom Nation on top just 2:56 into the contest. Just shy of three minutes later, the Phantoms would increase their lead to a pair of goals as Trent Kik would extend his Phantom point streak to four games, as the Sparta Native would skillfully place the biscuit into the net for a 2-0 Phantom lead. The Phantoms would take their 2-0 lead into the first intermission. As the second period began, the Phantom Crew would continue their assult against the Hawks. Just 1:29 into the period, Brad Zehr (assisted by Chad Manning and Trent Kik) would unleash a Blueline Bazooka Blast that blistered into the back of the Hawk net for a commanding 3-0 Phantom lead. The Hawks would be able to break the Phantom three-goal lead just 2:25 later, as with the Phantoms Matt Mead in the box for a tripping infraction, as the defending champs would notch the powerplay goal to narrow the lead to 3-1. The Hawks would again trim the lead to 3-2 just minutes later, as the Hawks would again strike against the Phantoms. However, for the Hawks, that would be the closest they would come. In the third period, the Phantoms would give it their all and rely on team netminder Kevin Wootton to keep the door closed in the Phantom goal. Despite the Hawks registering a mere 6 shots on goal in the final period, their hope for the equalizer would be destroyed with 1:21 remaining in the period as Chad Manning (assisted by Brad Zehr) would net an empty net goal to secure and finalize the Phantom's 4-2 killing of the Hawks. For the game, both team completed the contest with 18 shots on goal. On the Nauty's Penalty Minute Board, the Phantoms (as would be expected against the Hawks) completed the night with the most penalties at four for eight minutes. The Hawks on the other hand escaped with just two minors for four minutes. The Phantoms played one-man above the normal 10-man roster, as Trent Kik was called in just in case things started to heat up against the Hawks. The victory marks the second straight victory against the Hawks this season. Lifetime, the Phantoms climb to 3-4 against the Hawks. The Phantoms will return to the lights of Cedar next Sunday for a doubleheader. The showdown for the championship birth will begin at 4:00pm as the Phantoms collide with the Puck-Ups.
