The West Michigan Phantoms must love Aerosmith's 'Living on the Edge' song, as the team has walked the high-wire act numerious times this season. On Sunday, the Phantoms were able to fend off three Hawk goals in under three minutes to secure a 4-3 victory against the black-shirts. The victory by the Phantoms marked the first post-season victory of the season, as the yellow shirts now reside with a 1-2 mark in three post-season games. The Phantom's quickly took control of the game in the opening period, as Chuck McCloud (unassisted) broke the scoreless duel 3:35 into the contest, as the defensemen released a five-hole rocket into the back of the Hawk net. Just over two minutes later, the Phantom's Tim Vanoverloop (assisted by Travis McIntire) was able to recreate the five-hole blast to power the Phantoms into a 2-0 lead. Despite being out shot 11-7 after the opening frame, the Phantoms enjoyed a healthy 2-0 lead. In the second period, the Phantoms continued to increase their lead. Roughly half-way into the period, Matt Mead was able to connect on his first of the night (unassisted) to powerdrive the yellow shirts into a commanding 3-0 lead. Late in the middle period, Tim Vanoverloop would be able to complete the second period Phantom-two-goal-surge, as the former Stick Head member would unleash his second of the game to put the Phantoms up 4-0. That lead would continue into the third period, a period that has not gone well for the Phantoms this season. Last week the Phantoms surrendered a 4-1 lead in the third period and this week the Phantoms again managed to let a healthy four goal lead slip to just a single goal lead. Three Hawk goals in the span of three minutes allowed the Hawks to not only climb back into the game, but charge. With 3:22 remaining in the third period, the Phantoms dug in and tried to avoid the embarrassment that endured a week ago. Several great scoring chances by the Hawks in the final minutes, including a point-blank rocket just two feet out of the crease with 14 seconds remaining, would create an excellent finish to a rather boring game. The Phantoms would somehow manage to fend off the Hawk push and capture the 4-3 victory. As mentioned, the victory pushes the Phantom post-season record out of the winless cellar and to a 1-2 mark. On the game, the Hawks out shot the Phantoms 31-27. The Phantoms would be ticketed with the game's only penalty, as Chuck McCloud would be sentenced on a hooking infraction with a mere 40 seconds left in regulation. The Phantoms will return for one last game of the Spring 2009 season. That game is set for Sunday, August 2. Time and opponent yet to be announced.
