Windsor survives Whalers' rally, 6-3

BY PETE KRUPSKY
Feb. 26, 2010, 11:50 p.m.

  One thing is certain: If the Plymouth Whalers meet the Windsor Spitfires in the upcoming Ontario Hockey League playoffs, the series will be a dandy.

  The Whalers and Spits showed why Thursday night before a sellout crowd of 6,478 at Windsor Family Credit Union Centre.

  Windsor built a 4-1 lead with three unanswered goals in the second period and withstood a late Plymouth rally to defeat the Whalers, 6-3.

  Plymouth's latest winning streak is stopped at four games. The Whalers -- one of the hottest teams in the OHL since Christmas with a record of 16-7-0-1 -- are now 36-23-0-2 and remain in second place in the OHL's West Division and fourth in the Western Conference playoff race with 74 points.

  Windsor, which lost 8-5 last Saturday in Barrie, improved to 46-10-0-5 and is second overall in the OHL.

  Justin Shugg scored twice to lead the Windsor attack. Ryan Ellis scored once and contributed three assists as the game's first star. Taylor Hall, Adam Henrique and Greg Nemisz scored singles.

  Ryan Hayes, Garrett Meurs and Tyler Seguin replied for the Whalers.