There is always something about teams that are undefeated that brings their opponent's game to a new level. On Sunday night, the Phantoms had hoped to climb back to an even mark of .500 hockey and hand the Roman Empire their first loss of the season. Despite playing without the services of Matt Mead, Mike Pagnet, Dan Craveling, Steve McIntire, Chris Payton and Kevin Wootton, the Phantoms dug in and rose to the challenge, defeating the Roman Empire 5-4 to hand the former Sawbone team their first loss of the season. The Phantoms managed to get their end of the scoring going early, as Patrick Ewerth would get a perfect set-up pass from Nate Tyler, and Ewerth would open the scoring just 1:34 into the contest. Late in the opening period, the Phantoms would climb into a three-goal lead with a pair of goals in the final five minutes. With just 4:07 remaining in the period, Nate Tyler would net his first of the night, as the longtime Phantom product would receive the puck from Patrick Ewerth to secure a 2-0 lead for the defending bronze champions.  The Phantoms would then manage to beat the buzzer late in the period, as Chuck McCloud would net his third of the season with just 3 seconds remaining in the period (assisted by Patrick Ewerth) to give the Phantoms a healthy 3-0 lead after the opening 16 minutes.  In the opening period, the Phantoms outshot the Roman Empire 9-6.  In the second period, the Empire would begin to narrow the scoreboard.  Just 54 seconds into the period, the Empire would get on the board to narrow the Phantom lead to 3-1.  Less than 1:30 later, the Phantoms would answer right back.  Patrick Ewerth, already with a goal and two assists on the night, would continue to add to his totals, as the former Stick Head refugee would restore the Phantom three-goal-grip at 4-1 (assisted by Nate Tyler and Darren Skuse).  With 4:26 remaining in the period, the Phantom defensive would suffer a laps in judgement, as the Roman Empire would capitalize on a breakaway bid to clip the Phantom lead to two goals at 4-2.  With exactly three seconds remaining in the middle period, the Roman Empire would get a late period goal. A shot from behind the Phantom goal would bounce off traffic in front and find its way behind Jaran Malafa, as the Roman Empire would climb into within one goal.  During the second period, the Roman Empire outshot the Phantoms 11-10. 

In the third period, the Phantoms would answer back just 61 seconds following the late-period Roman Empire strike.  Nate Tyler would receive help from Patrick Ewerth and Tim Vanoverloop, as Tyler would net his second goal of the night just 58 seconds into the third period to lift the Phantoms into a 5-3 lead.  The Roman Empire would again manage to climb back into contention, as another Phantom defensive turnover would yield to another breakaway goal with 6:16 remaining in the period.  During the final 6:16 of the contest, the Roman Empire would manage to apply pressure inside the Phantom zone, but the combination of the entire six skater Phantom lineup and goaltender Jaran Malafa would hold on and secure a huge win for the yellow shirts.  In the final period, the Roman Empire outshot the Phantoms 10-6.  The victory improves the Phantoms record to 3-3 and ties the season series against the Roman Empire at 1-1.  The Phantom defeat against the Roman Empire marks the first defeat of the season for the Empire.  The Phantoms would like to give a very special thank-you to Jaran Malafa for playing goal during the game.  Jaran was contacted just 30 minutes prior to face-off and despite wanting to sit home and the watch the Red Wings, agreed to make the trek to Cedar Rock for the contest.  Jaran was excellent in goal for the Phantoms and very well could get summoned again next Sunday when the Phantoms face-off against DC Byers.  Kevin Wootton was unable to play during the game, due to re-injuring his back during his Silver-Phantom game hours before the Phantom-Roman Empire faceoff.  Wootton has cancelled all hockey games at Rivertown Sports this upcoming week and will see how he feels towards late week.  Wootton remained at the game on Sunday and help coached the Phantoms to victory.  The Phantom win improved Woottons coaching record to 3-1 this season (Rivertown Sports and Cedar Rock).