The West Michigan Phantoms historic start to the season hit a road-bump on Sunday, as the defending league champions dealt the Phantoms an 8-3 loss.  Howies used a trio of goals in the first period, as well as a trio in the second to overcome the Phantoms who skated without the services of three of the top four members of the yellow and black.  Howies would jump into a commanding 3-0 lead prior to the midmark of the opening period, as the former Calvin College Kids would be seeking an all out revenge against the Phantoms, who took game one of the season match-up 5-4 three weeks ago.  Late in the opening period, Andy Roseart would put the Phantoms on the board, as the Phantom sub would be set-up by Trent Kik with 1:09 remaining in the opening stanza to give the Phantoms some hope after nearly a full period of play.  In the second period, the Phantoms would attempt to dig-into the Howies lead, as Brad Brooks would net his first of the game (scored on the powerplay) just six minutes into the period to trim the Howie lead to 3-2.  However, Howies would take full advantage of some Phantom giveaways just minutes following the Brooks strike, as Howies would strike with a pair of goals just 50 seconds apart to expand their lead into a commanding 5-2 lead. Late in the second period, the Phantoms Gordie Anderson would be ticketed on a double-minor high-sticking infraction, as the longtime Phantom would accidentally high-stick the Howies Ron Koole behind the Howie net and the Phantom forward would skate into the penalty box for an extended stay.  The Howie playplay unit would take just 38 seconds to convert, as Howies would net their second powerplay goal of the game and climb to 6-2 lead.  That score would hold into the second intermission, as the offensive firepower of Howies was blasting away at the Phantom netminder by scoring on nearly 27 percent of their shots on goal.  Through two periods, Howies was outshooting the Phantoms 22-17.  In the third period, Howies would continue to take it to the Phantoms, as they would net their seventh goal of the contest 6:15 in to increase their lead to 7-2.  With 7:27 left in regulation, the Phantoms Gordie Anderson would again be sent to the sin-bin, as Gordie and a Howies player would be banished on roughing minors.  Yet, in a night that seemed as if nothing was going right for the yellow and black, Gordie would pick-up an additional unsportsmanlike minor and be ejected from the game with four penalties on the night.  Just seconds after play resumed, Howies would net their third powerplay goal of the game.  The last breath for the Phantoms would come with 6:05 remaining in the game, as Brad Brooks would net his second of the game to close the scoring with Howies on top 8-3.  The defeat lowers the Phantoms record to 4-1 on the season, yet remain two points superior to the Dangleberries for the overall league lead.  The Phantoms skated without the services of captain Chris Benedict, forward Norm Farr and defensemen Scott Vandonkelaar.  On the game, Howies out shot the Phantoms 28-24.  On the Nautys penalty minute board, the Phantoms were ticketed with six minors for 12 minutes, while Howies was sentenced on three minors for six minutes.  The Phantoms will return to action on Sunday, May 31 to tangle with the Turkeys at 6:00pm.