The West Michigan Phantoms began the 31st season of Phantom in style as four different marksmen unleashed an 9 goal assault against the Puck-Ups in the season opener at Cedar Rock Sports Plex in Cedar Springs. The Phantoms, who are displaying a renewed roster, were able to come within one goal of double digits and in the process register the most goals scored at Cedar Rock by a Phantom team in 20 games. The last time a Phantom squad tallied nine goals was two seasons ago on December 12, 2010 when the Phantoms blasted the Stallions 9-1. On Sunday, the Phantoms wasted little time climbing onto the score sheet, as Chad Manning would strike with his first of the season just 6:08 into the tilt to put the Phantoms in front a 1-0 lead (Trent Kik staged an assist). Roughly a minute later, John Dykehouse would increase the Phantom lead to 2-0, as the former Rouge River veteran would receive a dish from former Blue Vortex forward Jason Schemmel to keep the Black and Yellow offense flowing. Late in the period, Chad Manning would capture his second of the evening as the now oldest member of the Phantoms would be set up from Jason Schemmel to increase the Phantom lead to 3-0 after the initial 16 minutes. In the second period, the Phantoms would take just 35 seconds to capture their fourth of the game. Co-Captain Trent Kik would stage an unassisted tally to leap-frog the Phantoms into a commanding 4-0 lead and ultimately capture what would become the game winning strike. Just over a minute later, John Dykehouse would record his second of the game (assisted by Trent Kik) to swell the Phantom lead to 5-0. As if the offense was coming naturally by a team that struggled in the offensive last season, Trent Kik would likewise stage his second of the night (assisted by newcomer Ryan Mlejnek) to push the Phantoms to a 6-0 lead. Late in the opening period, Trent Kik would add to his scoring and become the first of three players to register a hat-trick. Trent's hat-trick netting goal with 1:37 remaining in the middle stanza would put the Phantoms in front of a commanding 7-0 lead through two periods. The hopes for Phantom shut-out would be canceled roughly five minutes into the third period, as a Puck-Up forward would penetrate through the Phantom defense and just slip one over the high-blocker side of the Phantom netminder Kevin Wootton to narrow the Phantom lead to 7-1. Four minutes later, Chad Manning would become the second player of the contest to register a hat-trick as the former Stick Head member would receive a set-up feed from Trent Kik to push the Phantoms into an 8-1 lead.  John Dykehouse would equal the task set by Trent Kik and Chad Manning one minute after the Manning strike, as John Dykehouse would complete his hat-trick and push the Phantom lead to an impressive 9-1. In the final minutes of the game, the Puck-Ups would capitalize with a pair of goals during the time in which the Phantoms would be hampered or challenged under a set of 'Benedict'-Induced-Rules). Those two Puck-Up strikes would occur in the games final 3:06 and complete the scoring with the Phantoms registering a 9-3 victory. On the game, the Phantoms outshot the Puck-Ups 27-25 on the contest. Ryan Mylenek would register the only penalty of the game, as the Mona Shores grad lived up to a reputation set by Mona Shores players over the years. The Phantoms will enjoy next off Sunday to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend and will return to Cedar Rock on Sunday, July 10th.