WINDSOR, Ontario -- For the longest-tenured player in Saginaw Spirit history, the historical context of the achievement wasn't lost.

When Jordan Szwarz skated off the ice after Thursday's division-clinching 5-0 win over Windsor, he left the arena with 11 banners hanging from its rafters, and entered a hallway full of people ecstatic about winning their first banner.

Seeing owner Dick Garber and team president Craig Goslin's reactions to the win, clinching the franchise's first West Division title in its nine-season existence, meant plenty to the Spirit captain.

"It's great to see the expression on Mr. Goslin, Mr. Garbers' face, the coaching staff," Szwarz said. "It means a lot to the organization, and it's great to see that."

The Spirit's convincing win in front of 6,499 here at Windsor's WFCU Centre ensured the Spirit will earn the second seed in the Western Conference when the playoffs start next week, and have home ice advantage through the first two rounds.

From Josh Shalla setting the team's single-season goals record with his 46th goal, to defenseman Peter Hermenegildo notching his fourth goal of the year to put Saginaw on the board, the Spirit had five different players score in an all-around dominating offensive effort.

In net, Mavric Parks recorded his second shutout of the year, recording 41 saves in his 50th game of the season.

The Spirit took the first 11 shots of the game, putting pressure on the Spitfires and never letting up. They were rewarded with Hermenegildo's goal 10 minutes in.

"I could tell we came to play early on," Spirit coach and General Manager Todd Watson said. "Tough building to play. You know what, things worked out for us tonight."

A pair of power play goals followed in the second period, from Vincent Trocheck and John McFarland. The Spirit went 2-for-5 on the power play, while limiting Windsor to no goals on six power play chances.

Garret Ross and Shalla rounded out the scoring for the Spirit, chasing Spitfires goalie Jack Campbell from the game.

"We wanted to get pucks to Campbell and bodies in front of him," Watson said. "He's a good goalie. You worry about that big game that he could steal a game for you."

The Spirit led the division by double digit points most of the second half, before falling in six of their eight games before Thursday to see their division lead shrink to three.

They missed on a chance to wrap up the division title last week, before finishing it up quickly this weekend.

"It's nice to finally put some closure on it and not have to be in a race with anyone else," McFarland said. "It's definitely a good feeling."

The Spirit close out the regular season with a Friday home game against Erie and a Saturday home game against Windsor.

But before that, and before the Spirit embark on the most important playoff run in team history, there was a little time to celebrate in that WFCU Centre hallway.

"I'm just happy for the program as much as anything," Watson said. "They've never won a championship, even a division title. To be able to finally do that is one step and now we've got to start focusing on the playoffs."