The West Michigan Phantoms kicked off the post-season with a 4-1 victory against the Puck-Ups on Sunday. For the Men of Phantom Nation, the win against the Puck-Ups was the four of the season and the fourth since last season's championship game tilt when the Puck-Ups edged the Phantoms 5-4 in overtime for the league title. Spear-headed by pair of goals from Nate Tyler and Jason Schemmel, the Phantoms keep their championship game bid alive in a very tight and competitive post-season field. The Phantom's would get on the board in the opening period, as Darren Skuse would set-up Nate Tyler with just 5:51 remaining in the opening period to lift the yellow shirts into a 1-0 lead after the opening 16 minutes. The Phantom lead would swell to two goals early in the second period, as Nate Tyler would again light the lamp off a Jason Schemmel assist to put the Phantoms into a 2-0 lead. However, the Phantom momentum would take a slight break, as a defensive turn-over near the red line by the Phantoms would allow the Puck-ups to capture a breakaway goal and climb back into contention just 36 seconds following the Tyler strike. The multiple goal lead by the Phantoms would return late in the middle stanza, as Jason Schemmel would light the lamp with 1:45 remaining in the period to force the Phantoms into a 3-1 lead after two periods. In the third, Jason Schemmel would again net paydirt as the Blue Vortex forward would cash in on his second of the evening and his team leading 12th of the season (unassisted) to complete scoring for the contest. During the opening night of post-season play, the Phantoms out shot the Puck-Ups 28-25. On the 96KBPS.com Internet Radio's Crime Watch, the Phantoms were ticketed with two minors (all in the third period) for four total minutes and the Puck-Ups were sentenced on a single minor for two minutes. The team played without the services of Tim Czycyk who was on vacation in Nashville. The Phantoms will return to action on Sunday, April 11th to take on the Roman Empire. The team would like to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Easter and hopes the bunny brings you some treats.
