Phantoms use third period to inject offense; Top Agape 7-4

West Michigan Phantoms 7, Agape 4

Sunday, July 12, 2026 • Walker Ice & Fitness Center • Walker, Michigan

The West Michigan Phantoms returned to the win column Sunday evening at Walker Ice & Fitness Center with an impressive 7-4 victory over Agape. Despite dressing a depleted defensive corps, the Phantoms received timely scoring throughout the lineup, a hat trick from Trevor Zenas (#10), and a momentum-changing penalty shot save from goaltender Kevin Wootton (#35).

The Phantoms entered the contest without Natalie Nemes (#6), Shawn DeBoer (#17), Sam Schaab (#4), Ezra Gennello (#3), and Nate Skoboda (#44). With four natural defensemen unavailable, several players were forced into expanded roles on the blue line throughout the evening. Despite the adversity, the defense held together and helped the Phantoms secure an important victory.

West Michigan opened the scoring with 6:06 remaining in the first period when Trevor Zenas finished a passing play from Clay Potochny (#18) and Chris Laux (#15), giving the Phantoms an early 1-0 lead. Agape answered just over a minute later as #34 scored an unassisted goal to tie the game.

The Phantoms regained momentum late in the opening period when Ryker Barber (#26) capitalized on an Agape turnover, scoring an unassisted goal with 2:46 remaining to restore a 2-1 advantage heading into the intermission.

Jason Young (#7) extended the lead midway through the second period, finishing a pass from Brad Zehr (#21) to make it 3-1. Agape answered before the period ended as #0 converted a setup from #3, cutting the deficit to one heading into the final period.

One of the game’s defining moments came late in the second period. Brad Zehr (#21) was assessed a tripping penalty that resulted in a penalty shot for Agape. With momentum hanging in the balance, Kevin Wootton stood tall and denied the breakaway attempt, preserving the Phantoms’ lead and energizing the bench heading into the third period.

The Phantoms wasted little time building on that momentum in the final frame. Just over two minutes into the third period, Clay Potochny (#18) scored off an assist from Hunter Tuggle (#11), extending the lead to 4-2.

Agape refused to quit, however, as #8 answered with an unassisted goal to cut the lead back to one at 4-3.

Trevor Zenas quickly responded, finishing passes from Hunter Tuggle and Clay Potochny to restore the two-goal cushion at 5-3. Moments later, Agape’s #34 scored his second goal of the night off assists from #3 and #0, once again pulling the visitors within one.

The Phantoms closed the door from there.

Kyle Swansegar (#14) scored with 2:35 remaining off a strong passing play from Jason Young and Adam Porczynski (#9), making it 6-4. With Agape pressing and their goaltender pulled for an extra attacker, Kevin Wootton earned a rare point when he sent the puck ahead to Trevor Zenas, who completed the hat trick into the empty net with 1:15 remaining to seal the 7-4 victory. Woottons point ties him with ten others on the Phantoms with a single point this season.

The balanced offensive attack was led by Trevor Zenas’ three-goal performance, while #8 contributed a goal and two assists. Jason Young finished with a goal and an assist, Hunter Tuggle recorded two assists, and Ryker Barber and Kyle Swansegar each added important goals.

Perhaps just as important was the effort from the makeshift defensive group. Despite being forced to play without four regular defensemen, the Phantoms limited Agape’s opportunities late and received a momentum-saving penalty shot stop from Kevin Wootton that proved to be one of the biggest plays of the game.