The West Michigan Phantoms endured their first defeat of the season on Sunday, falling to
Barely Legal in a lop-sided 7-3 decision.  The defeat marked the first defeat of the
post-season and ended a Phantom six game winning streak entering Sunday's clash.  More
importantly, the defeat will kick the Phantoms out of a championship game bid, something
that the Phantoms have played in for the past five Bronze seasons and last three Aluminum
(Rivertown Sports) seasons.  On Sunday, the Phantoms would display a lackluster
performance from the start, which would allow Barely Legal to jump in front of a 2-0 lead.  
The Phantoms Jason Schemmel would register his tenth of the season from a Brian Doctor
assist with 6:00 minutes remaining in the opening period, to close the Phantoms to within
one goal, trailing 2-1.  However, two more goals by Barely Legal in the final minutes of the
opening frame would put the Rivertown group ahead 4-1 after the initial 16 minutes.  In the
second period, both teams would exchange goals roughly five minutes apart to advance the
duel to a 5-2 Barely Legal lead.  (Chad Manning would stage the Phantom goal during the
second period exchange).  Barely Legal would continue their assult against the Phantoms
during the balance of the second period, as two more goals would be netted against the
yellow shirts to mount a 7-2 Barely Legal lead after 32 minutes.   In the third period,
Phantom co-Captain Trent Kik would register his ninth of the season just two minutes in to
give the Phantoms the trifecta (assisted by Tim Czycyk).  The Phantoms would be out shot
in each of the three periods and suffer a 29-18 shot disadvantage during the game.  The
Phantoms would be sentenced on four penalties for 19 minutes, while Barely Legal would
be sentenced on two penalties for 15 minutes.  The Phantom's Nate Tyler and Barely
Legal's John Brooks would both be banished in the third period with fighting and 10-minute
misconduct penalties, both of which will be suspended for next weekends season finale.  
For Phantom Tough-Guy Nate Tyler, this marks his franchise leading tenth suspension in
his 30 season Phantom career.  The Phantoms played without the services of Chris
Benedict, who was playing in the championship game of the Labatt Blue Hockey
Championships in Kalamazoo.  The team was also missing the services of Justin Calkins
(Colorado) and Darren Skuse (Injured).  The team will return to action on Sunday, May
22nd to close out the team's 30th season of hockey.