Despite earning an impressive 8-0 victory one-week-ago, the West Michigan Phantoms returned to the bronze league on Sunday and did not display the skill, nor the determination that they did one week ago. Whether it was the effects of the full moon or just a lack of pride, the Phantoms did not display the championship mind-set that won them a championship last season. The Phantoms would not be able to secure the victory and fell to DC Byers by the final of 3-2 and in doing so fell to 2-2 on the season. The Phantoms would surrender a breakaway late in the opening period, as DC Byers would capitalize and climb into a 1-0 lead with just 4:15 remaining in the opening period. Less than a minute later, the Phantoms would bounce back as Chuck McCloud would be set-up by Tim Vanoverloop to deadlock the score at 1-1 through the first 16 minutes. DC Byer out shot the Phantoms 7-6 in that opening period. In the second, the Phantoms would climb into their only lead of the night, as the Rabid Wombat forward Jared Yax would give the Phantoms a 2-1 lead just 40 seconds into the middle stanza (unassisted).
The Phantoms lack of desire to correct basic mistakes would cost them again, as another breakaway would be surrendered and DC Byer would capitalize roughly six minutes after the Phantom go-ahead-strike to tie the game at 2-2. Just over a minute later, an innocent looking shot from the point would slip past the Phantom netminder Wootton and into the back of the net giving DC Byer a 3-2 lead with a full period and a half remaining in the game. Despite the vast amount of time remaining on the board, the Phantoms would not be able to offer sustained pressure inside the DC Byer zone for the remainder of the game. Phantom shots would sail to the right, left and above the goal on numerous opportunities throughout the game and the very few passes would be handled by the Phantoms during the contest. The 3-2 loss by the Phantoms marks the second time this season out of three one-goal-games that the Phantoms have bowed their heads in defeat. On the game, the Phantoms were out shot 24-23. For the Phantoms, the team was sentenced for a single minor for two minutes. As for DC Byer, they were ticketed on two minors for four minutes. The Phantoms will return to action on Sunday, May 17th.
