The West Michigan Phantoms returned to Cedar Rock on Sunday night in hopes of capturing the teams first win of the season.  One week ago, the Phantoms were on the losing end, of a disappointing 3-2 defeat by the Roman Empire.  The Phantoms, who continue to operate below the normal 10-skater limit, would have their hands full early, as two goals in the first six minutes of play would see the Junkyard Dawgs jump into a 2-0 lead early in the first period. Despite the Phantoms poor start, the team (and netminder) settled down and dug in.  Over the past several seasons, the Junkyard Dawgs and the Phantoms have combined to create some great games under the lights in Cedar and despite an early 2-0 lead by the Dawgs, this game would again live up to the billing.  Following the end of the opening period, the Dawgs had the lead on the scoreboard and had the lead in shots, out shooting the Phantoms 12-5 during the first 16 minutes.  In the second period, the Phantoms would begin to mount some pressure and get back into the game.  Just 2:34 into the stanza, Mike Padget would set up Jared Yax with his first goal of the season and bring the Phantom to within one goal.  The low scoring game will yield just three goals through the first two periods, with the Dawgs still in charge at 2-1.  The Phantoms and Dawgs both registered 11 shots on goal during the second period. 

In the third, the Phantoms would stun the Dawgs and Mike Padget would net his first goal of the season and first as a Phantom, as the former Sharkie player would strike 6:36 into the period.  With the game deadlocked at 2-2, both teams would begin to step up their play.  Despite numerous point-blank scoring chances by the Junkyard Dawgs late in the period, the Phantom defensive core and veteran netminder Kevin Wootton would not be violated and at the end of the regulation, both the Phantoms and Junkyard Dawgs would be deadlocked at 2-2.  In the shoot-out, the Phantoms would begin the bid to achieve the rally, but Jared Yax and Chuck McCloud would not be able to tally goals on the first two attempts by the Phantoms.  With the Phantoms Kevin Wootton sealing the door himself during the first two Junkyard Dawg attempts, the Phantoms would send Tim Vanoverloop over the boards for the third shot for the team.  After the loose puck doing the famous Gummybears Bouncing Here and There and Everywhere verse in the crease, the puck would trickle across the line to give the Phantoms a 1-0 lead in the shoot-out.  The Dawgs would have a single attempt to prolong the shoot-out, but Kevin Wootton in the Phantom goal would not be denied and the Phantoms complete the comeback and defeat the Junkyard Dawgs 3-2.  The victory improves the Phantoms record to 4-0 against the Dawgs in the past four meetings and raises the lifetime record against the Junkyard Dawgs to 5-2.  On the game, the Junkyard Dawgs out shot the Phantoms 32-24. (Note: Shoot-out shots and goals do not count towards the numbers).  There we no penalties called during the contest to either club.  The victory pulls even the Phantom record, which now stands at 1-1.  The team played without the services of Darren Skuse, who still remains on vacation in Italy.  The Phantoms do have an opening on the forward line.  If interested, contact Kevin Wootton.  The Phantoms will return to the Plex on Sunday, May 3rd to tangle with the Falcons.  Game time is set for 6:00pm.