Stefan Noesen and Jamie Devane scored in a four-minute span, as the Whalers moved within four points of London for top spot in the Western Conference.
Jaroslav Pavelka was outstanding in goal for the Spitfires, making 47 saves in a losing cause.
Trailing 2-0, the Spits had four power play chances in the second and third periods: including a lengthy 5-on-3 midway through the final 20, during which the Spits were unable to muster much more than a couple chances from the perimeter.
The loss keeps the Spits in seventh place in the Western Conference, two points up on both Sault Ste Marie and Guelph.
The Spits are right back at it on Sunday afternoon at 2pm, as Saginaw visits the WFCU Centre in a key four-point game. The Spirit sit sixth in the conference, four points up on Windsor (27-30-4-2).
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD:
PLY NOESEN (32) (SCHMITZ, HEARD) 11:29 PP,
PLY DEVANE (20) (ALEARDI, BATHGATE) 15:30
SECOND PERIOD:
NO SCORING
THIRD PERIOD:
NO SCORING
SHOTS:
WSR 10 - 15 - 10 = 35
PLY 25 - 12 - 12 = 49
