WINDSOR, ON - As usual, Malcolm Subban was spectacular, but Jaroslav Pavelka was too on Thursday night in Windsor. Despite a dominant effort in the second period, the Bulls fell short and saw their six game winning streak snapped as the little things that win hockey games just weren't there in the final frame. Saverio Posa capitalized on a defensive breakdown late to bring the Spitfires' record to a game over .500 while the Bulls look to start fresh on Friday night in Plymouth.

The WFCU Centre certainly presents OHL players with an atmosphere that rivals most NHL venues. Used to the smaller confines of the Yardmen, the Bulls stepped out into a big league barn featuring a ceiling that seems to go on for miles. Perhaps a little awestruck in their first few shifts, our Bulls didn't feature the usual swagger in their stride they'd usually boast.

The Spits took advantage of some early Belleville turnovers, but weren't able to rattle Subban, making his eighth consecutive start in goal for the Bulls. Subban made a solid early save off Alexander Khokhlachev on an odd-man rush and turned aside big Nick Czinder has he cut into the offensive zone and snapped a low shot on the pads moments later.

Belleville came close with just under eight minutes remaining in the first as Daniil Zharkov gloved down a puck at the Windsor blueline and tried a shot from a poor angle on Pavelka who, despite an unorthodox method, was able to make the save.

Windsor took the shot column 11-10 and outchanced the Bulls 7-3 through the first twenty minutes. Coaches Jake Grimes and Jason Supryka were doing what they could with five defencemen as nineteen year-old Jason Shaw was kept out of the lineup on Thursday as the result of a coaches decision.

The second period was quite a different story as the Bulls showed off their offensive creativity and peppered Pavelka with 22 shots. Belleville had a constant presence in front of the Windsor goal, collecting multiple chances off tips and deflections which led to rebounds. Pavelka however, was a rock in goal, further solidifying himself as an emerging OHL talent after a slow start to the season in Niagara.

The Bulls scampered onto the board just 2:32 into the period when Stephen Silas left his usual post anchoring the back end and went freestyle on the Spitfires through the neutral zone. Silas evaded the check of Jordan Maletta at the Belleville blueline, buying himself some space as he picked up speed and eventually used Windsor defenceman Saverio Posa as a screen to beat Pavelka with a bullet over the blocker.

The boys kept the workload light on Malcolm Subban in the second as he was challenged with one incredible scoring chance. Subban made a quick reflex save of Khokhlachev from the high slot as he redirected Nick Ebert's point blast. The rebound squirted out to the left of the goalmouth, as Subban flashed the left pad to rob Czinder and keep the Bulls in the lead.

Pavelka got a workout in the second, facing fourteen scouring opportunities and making some big saves as both Dylan Corson and Michael Curtis were rejected on close chances.

Belleville entered the third with a 1-0 lead as the Bulls' third and fourth lines were doing an excellent job of relieving the legs of Daniil Zharkov, Brendan Gaunce and Austen Brassard who logged big minutes.

The Spits started the third period off on the right foot, putting the Bulls on the ropes as Silas wasn't able to make a hard rim around the end boards and Stephen Alonge sent the puck towards the goal. Unfortunately for Belleville, Michael Clarke was on the doorstep, redirecting the low shot through the legs of Subban at 2:11.

Perhaps the biggest stumbling point for the Bulls on Thursday was the powerplay that went 0 for 6, and struggled late in the game as three opportunities passed them by in the third. Unable to capitalize on their advantages, the Spitfires soon seized their own chances.

With just over five minutes left in the game and the score tied at one, miscommunication haunted the Bulls who allowed the fatal blow at the hands of defenceman Saverio Posa who came in off the blueline. Posa's second of the season caught two Bulls standing still as he blew down the right wing and beat Subban on his own rebound, giving the Spits a late 2-1 lead.

The Bulls would go on to lose their first game this season when they've entered the third period with a lead as Pavelka slammed the door late and earned first star honours deservingly as a result.

Malcolm Subban was arguably the best Bull on the ice Thursday, taking home the second star after a 29 save performance.

With Ottawa idle on Thursday, the Bulls remain in first place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 19-10-0-0. They head to Plymouth on Friday to battle Andy Bathgate and the Whalers at the Compuware Arena. Game time is 7:05pm and Bulls voice Jack Miller comes to you live at 6:50pm with pre-game coverage.

(Photo Credit: Aaron Bell/OHL Images)