The West Michigan Phantoms were able to extend the teams winning streak to a season high two games on Sunday, as the Men who dawn the now 30 season yellow sweaters captured a thrilling 7-6 victory against Barely Legal at the Cedar Rock Sports Plex. The victory, the first in two attempts against Barley Legal thus far this season, witnessed the Phantoms stage an opening period explosion as six Phantom lamp lighters would quickly launch the team into a 6-1 lead after the opening period. Chris Benedict, who returned to the lineup for the first time in two weeks following a stint on the teams injured reserve, would begin the opening period fireworks just 49 seconds into the period, as the Muskegon Catholic Central assistant coach would net his sixth of the season (assisted by Gordie Anderson and Jason Schemmel) to put the yellow shirts on top at 1-1. That lead would be short-lived, as Barely Legal would capture the game tying goal exactly 121 seconds following the Benedict blast. However, the balance of the first period would be owned by the Phantoms. John Dykehouse (unassisted) would stage his second of the season 54 seconds following Barely Legals equalizer to restore the Phantom lead at 2-1. Tim Vanoverloop would manage to net one for the D-Men less than two minutes later (assisted by Chris Benedict) to give the Phantoms their first multi-goal lead of the night at 3-1. The opening period flourish from the yellow shirts would continue, as Chris Benedict would tally his second of the contest and seventh of the campaign (unassisted) to push the Phantoms further ahead at 4-1. With 4:10 remaining in the opening frame, Jason Schemmel would stage his third of the season (assisted by Trent Kik) to give the Phantoms their fifth of the contest and a 5-1 lead. Still not down drowning the Rivertown Sports filled team of Barely Legal, Chris Benedict would stage his third of the contest and complete an opening period hat-trick with 3:30 remaining in the period (assisted by Jason Schemmel) to end the opening period with the Phantoms enjoying a healthy 6-1 lead. The Phantoms, who blasted Barely Legal in the shot count, would outshoot their opponents 13-4 through the opening 16 minutes. In the second period, Barely Legal would manage to slip one past the Phantom netminder early to narrow ground on the Phantoms and trim the Phantom lead to 6-2. Five minutes later Jason Schemmel would restore the Phantoms five spot on Barely Legal, as the former Blue Vortex forward would stage his second of the game and fourth of the season off assists from Brian Doctor and Gordie Anderson. The Phantoms continued to out shoot Barely Legal 10-8 in the middle period to increase their shooting advantage to an impressive 23-12 through two periods. Despite a five goal lead entering the third period, Barely Legal would mount a comeback and rocket back into the game in the third period. Four goals within the opening 12 minutes of the third period by Barely Legal would witness the Phantom lead slip to 7-5 and create a very entertaining game to watch for many of the Cedar Rock spectators. With the goaltender pulled for the extra attacker, Barely Legal would claw their way closer to the Phantoms in the final seconds of the contest as a strike with 33 seconds remaining to slice the Phantom lead to a single goal at 7-6. The yellow shirts would manage to fend off Barely Legal for the duration and skate away with a 7-6 win against Barely Legal. The opposition would out shoot the Phantoms 11-10 in the final frame, despite the Phantoms out shooting Barely Legal 33-23 on the contest. The Phantoms would be ticketed on two minors for four minutes, while Barely Legal was sentenced on three minors for six minutes. The Phantoms skated without the services of Justin Calkins who remains on the injured reserve following a game in early March and Darren Skuse who was on vacation. The Phantoms will return to action on Sunday, April 10th to battle at Coyote Uglies at 7:00pm.
