For the third time in four meetings this season, the West Michigan Phantoms were able to top their long-time foe Howies and skate away with a victory. On Sunday afternoon, the Phantoms kicked off the post-season and displayed a highly energetic performance to defeat the former Calvin College crew and capture a huge victory in the post-season. The Phantoms would open the scoring a mere 99 seconds into the tilt, as Jason Schemmel would stage his first of three opening period goals (assisted by Tim Czycyk) to lift the Phantoms into a 1-0 lead. However, exactly one minute later Howies would even the dual and push both team's into an 1-1. With 6:31 remaining in the opening period, the Phantoms would again march back into the lead. Brain Doctor would lead a Phantom charge out of the defensive zone and hand the puck over to Phantom forward Tim Czycyk. Czycyk would dish the puck over to longtime teammate Jason Schemmel who would bury his second of the contest for a 2-1 yellow shirt lead. Two minutes later, the Phantoms would continue their first period ambush of Howies, as Brian Doctor would again stage a point in setting up Jason Schemmel for his hat-trick clinching tally to put the Phantoms on top 3-1 entering the first intermission. Despite being out shot 9-8 in the opening 16 minutes, the Phantoms would escape with the lead. In the second period, the Phantoms would climb into their largest lead of the night just 1:33 into the middle stanza. Recently turn 30-year-old Phantom forward Gordie Anderson would strike with his ninth goal of the season and his fourth against Howies this season to advance the Phantoms into a 4-1 lead. However, two lucky brakes by Howies in the span of 35 seconds would witness the Phantom three goal lead slip to just a single, as Howies would riffle off two goals in 35 seconds to climb back into contention trailing 4-3. The Phantoms would take a few minutes but would restore law and order throughout Phantom Nation. Tim Czycyk would tally his first of the contest and team leading 21st of the season just 1:58 following the Howie two-goal blitz to restore a two-goal lead for the Phantoms. Roughly 4:30 later, the Phantom's own Timmy C would feed off a Trent Kik centering pass to stage his second of the contest to restore the Phantom three-goal grip at 6-3. Both teams would register 9 shots on goal during the second period. In the third period, Howies would mount a strong push to climb back into the game.  Jason Koole would complete his three goal hat trick for Howies just 5:13 into the third period to narrow the Phantom lead to 6-4. Minutes later with the Phantom's Trent Kik serving a high-sticking minor, Howies would strike with their first powerplay goal of the season against the Phantoms to close to within one goal at 6-5. Despite six minutes of play remaining in the third period, the Phantom defensive core, forward back-checking skills and a few larcenies from the Phantom netminder's glove, Howies would not be able to tie the contest and would fall to the Phantoms by the final of 6-5. As mentioned, the victory by the Phantoms marks the third in four contests against Howies this season. The Phantoms and Howies each struck with 25 shots on goal during the game. As is usually the case in the now 28 season history of the Phantoms, the Phantoms lead the meeting with the most penalties at two minors for four minutes (note: Howies did not receive a single minor). The Phantoms played without the services of Darren Skuse, who was in Chicago continuing in his celebration for the 2010 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks. In other Bronze league post-season play, the Puck-Ups were able to skate with just five guys to defeat Team Jager in their play-off opener. The Phantoms will return to post-season play on Sunday, August 22nd when they face-off against Team Jager.