The West Michigan Phantoms had the offense to win on Sunday Night, but did not have the defense.  The Phantoms ended up on the short-end of a 9-7 decision against the Turkeys in a wide-open contest at the Plex in Cedar.  The Phantoms watched as the Turkeys climbed into a 2-0 lead before answering.  Nate Tyler would put the yellow shirts on the board mid-way into the opening period, as the longtime defensemen would be set-up by Gordie Anderson for his first goal of the season for the Silver squad.  Late in the period, the Phantoms would deadlock the contest, as Trent Kik (assisted by Brad Zehr and Gordie Anderson) would net his first of the night to complete the rally by the Phantoms.  However, with just 23 seconds remaining in the period, the Turkeys would storm back and retake the lead at 3-2.  The Turkeys managed to outshoot the Phantoms 7-6 in the opening stanza.  In the second period, the Turkeys would keep their offense flowing, as the newly improved team would net a goal 1:53 into the period to jump into a 4-2 lead.  However, just six seconds later the Phantoms Trent Kik would win the face-off and dish the puck to Gordie Anderson who would strike with his second goal of the season to make it a 3-4 Turkey lead. 

The Turkeys would answer back with a pair of goals before the end of the period to jump into a 6-3 lead by periods end.  The Turkeys outshot the Phantoms 11-8 in the middle period.  Despite trailing by three goals, the Phantoms continued to chip away at the Turkey lead.  Just 55 seconds into the third period, the Phantoms Tim Czycyk would net his fifth of the season (assisted by Casey Rosenberg) to bring the Phantoms to within two.  Minutes later, Chris Benedict would strike with his first of the game (assisted by Brad Zehr) to bring the yellow shirts to within one.  However, the Turkeys would then net two of their own in the span of 3:02 to restore a three-goal-grip over the Phantoms.  Late in the period, the Phantoms would net a pair of goals in a span of 17 seconds to climb back to within a single goal.  The first of that Phantom flurry would be scored by Tim Czycyk; his second of the night (assisted by Casey Rosenberg) and the second in that flurry would be scored by Chris Benedict; his second of the game (assisted by Jason Schemmel).  The Phantoms hopes for the equalizer would be derailed as despite having the netminder lifted the Phantoms would not be able to notch a game-tying eight goal.  With just three seconds remaining in the game, the Turkeys would seal the victory with an empty net goal to complete their 9-7 win over the Phantoms.  Despite the Phantoms offensive surge, the defense would display a very dismal and dissatisfying game.  Numerous turn-overs and a complete lack of clearing the crease would yield numerous Turkey goals on the night.  The Phantoms played without the services of defensemen Scott Vandonkelaar who remains on the shelf following emergency surgery several weeks ago.  Scott is expected to return to the Phantom line-up as early as mid-June.  Norm Farr and Brad Brooks were also sidelined by the Phantoms due to an ice hockey conflict.  Netminder Kevin Wootton continued to play through a lower back injury.  Following the Silver game, Wootton was scratched from the Bronze game just one hour later due to severe pains in his lower back.  The Phantoms will return to action next Sunday to tangle with the Dangleberries.