The West Michigan Phantoms tested faith on Sunday evening as despite a 3-0 lead in the first 5:51 of the opening period, the yellow shirts would watch Roman Empire strike back with three of their own to force overtime. The Phantoms would ultimately achieve victory against the winless Roman Empire just 30 seconds into overtime, but the complete collapse and failure by the Phantoms to put what should have been a easy game away would be the story-line for the Phantoms during the second week of post-season play. Jason Schemmel would kick-start the Phantom offense just 1:35 into the tilt, as the Phantom veteran would receive a set-up dish from Tim Czycyk and Kevin Wootton and with a flick of the wrist the Phantoms would be up 1-0. Less than 30 seconds later, the Men of Phantom Nation would explode into a 2-0 lead, as Chris Wietfeldt and Brian Doctor would set-up Trent Kik for his eighth goal of the season. The red-light assault by the Phantoms would continue to cash-in on one of the best starts in team history just 3:06 later, as Chad Manning would slip another puck past Empire neminder Jeff Pacific to stun the winless club with a commanding 3-0 Phantom lead. However, three goal have historically been considered the worst possible lead in hockey. The Phantoms would experience that statement for the balance of the game. With 8:47 remaining in the opening period, Roman Empire would manage to beat Phantom crease detective Kevin Wootton on an innocent looking side shot that would find an opening between the legs to put the Empire on the board trailing 3-1. Roughly three minutes later, Roman Empire would continue their quest to muster back into contention, as a Phantom defensive pass across the slot would be intercepted by a streaking Roman forward who would bury the puck over the right shoulder of the Phantom netminder to narrow the score to a 3-2 Phantom lead. That lead for the Phantoms would continue until the mid-stages of the second period, when Roman Empire would again achieve the unthinkable as a one-on-one opportunity would yield a shot and a goal to tie the contest at 3-3. With the heads of the Phantoms in disbelief, the Phantom bench and team members would crank up the intensity and effort for the balance of the second period, however, Roman Empire goaltender Jeff Pacific would shake off the rough start of the game and completely deny Phantom marksmen on numerous point-blank opportunities. The tied duel would continue into the late stages of the third period, when the Phantoms would be presented their lone power-play opportunity of the contest. Roman Empire would be sentenced to a slashing infraction with 53 seconds remaining in regulation and despite the horn ending play at the end of the third period, the Phantom powerplay unit would capitalize on the 4-3 extra-man-band just 30 seconds into overtime. Following a Trent Kik face-off drop-back at center ice, Muskegon native and former Mona Shores Sailor Brian Doctor would gain continue of the puck and with Trent and Chris Wietfeldt asserting pressure deep inside and in front of the Empire net, Doctor would let his legendary bazooka-blast radiate from the slot where Kik would deflect the puck past Pacific for the game winner. The overtime strike would halt and truncate a three-goal Roman Empire comeback and give the Phantoms a 4-3 decision and remain tied after two weeks of post-season hockey with Howies and Team Chowder with perfect 2-0 records. On the game, the Phantoms out shot the Roman Empire 26-23.  Both teams would be sentenced to one minor for two minutes on the 96KBPS.com Internet Radio's Crime Watch. The Phantoms will return to post-season play on Sunday, April 18th when the team takes on the Hawks at 5:00pm. With the Phantoms, Howies and Team Chowder all tied with 2-0 marks entering the final week of round-robin action, a victory will expectedly keep the Phantoms tied with Howies and Team Chowder were the tie-breaker would come down to goals against (post-season only). The top two defensive teams would then advance to the championship tilt on April 25th. While the Phantoms take on the Hawks next week, Howies will entertain the Roman Empire, while Team Chowder will take on Team Jager.