WELLAND - The work in progress that is the Welland Whalers is progressing well.

On Saturday, Ontario's newest senior A team scored its most decisive win of its expansion season one night after holding their own against the only undefeated team in Allan Cup hockey.

Welland's 6-3 victory over the Orillia Tundras was also the team's first at home and improved the Whalers' record to 2-9.

Drew Minor, who scored a power-play goal in Welland's second win of the season against Orillia, said the record doesn't reflect how competitive the Whalers have since beginning the season with lopsided losses.

“We're not getting blown out, there's a chance for us to win every night,” said the 21-year-old Minor who spent the past three seasons playing junior B with the Port Colborne Pirates.

He suggested being the youngest team in the league has been a double-edged sword for the Whalers.

“We have foot speed but we're not always where we need to be on the ice,” Minor said in calling the game at the senior level “more strategic hockey.”

Still, youth has its advantages.

“We don't get tired as much, that can help when the team needs energy late in the game.”

John Williamson, with two goals, including one into an empty net; Chris Downey, Dan Marwick and Tanner McGowan also scored for the Whalers who outshot their visitors 38-31 but were anything but special on special teams. Welland finished the game 1-for-7 on the power play, while all the Tundras' goals were scored by Travis Fuller when they had a man advantage.

One-time Thorold Blackhawk Rick Miller made 28 saves to earn the victory and withstood a difficult test early in the third period when Orillia had a seven-minute power play and only managed to score once.

Miller stopped two sure goals in that long stretch and had no chance on Fuller's point-blank shot from inside the blue line 5:49 into the extended power play.

While the 27-year-old Miller is still getting used to playing competitive hockey for the first time in six years, he has come to expect harder shots.

“They definitely shoot harder than in junior. These guys are men,” he said.

Miller agrees with Minor the Whalers are heading in the right direction.

“This is a young team. We're still working out the strategies, but it's getting there.”

He credits his defencemen for making his job between the pipes a lot less difficult.

“The 'D' is making it easier to see the puck, and that's what every goalie wants. When you can see it, there's a better chance you can play it.”

Yvon Charrois scored Welland's lone goal in a 3-1 road loss to the Brantford Blast on Friday night. Brantford, which outshot the Whalers 36-21 to improve to 10-0, got goals from Jamie Williams, Cam Sault and Dave Russell.

Welland plays the defending champion Dundas Real McCoys in a home-and-home series this weekend. Friday finds the Whalers in Dundas for 7:45 p.m. faceoff with Saturday's game at Welland Arena beginning at 7:30 p.m.

bernd.franke@sunmedia.ca