Windsor Spitfires 2021-22 Season Thread

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RayzorIsDull

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There was some back and forth play in the first five minutes with the differences being Windsor forwards got back to cover for any D that were caught which prevented chances while Guelph's goaltender couldn't stop the puck.

Guelph changes goalies, gets a PP shortly after and Windsor's OA D makes a half hearted attempt to stop the Guelph player driving the net from below the goal line while moving away from the Guelph player and Guelph scores and also gets the next 13 shots on net.

Windsor was fortunate with the goalie change by Guelph, when they finally get a couple more shots, they got a couple more goals.

4 - 1 score but shots were 18 - 8 Guelph.

Windsor's D, or forwards couldn't clear the zone. Certain were always getting stopped trying to skate it out then caught at their own blue line while Guelph racked up the shots and Downey kept making saves.

Windsor was not pressuring a whole lot in the first 5 minutes, teams were pretty equal and Windsor continued to play the same way and couldn't get out of their own zone.

Agreed the first 5 minutes weren't indicative of Windsor pouring it on and suffocating Guelph, nice goal by Miedema and Johnston scored one behind the red line. Nobody is asking them to sit on a 2-0 lead but they certainly weren't playing like they were up 2 goals after that. If you wanted to make a case the Spits haven't had many 2 goal leads all year and don't know how to play with that type of lead I would buy that. Of course if they want to be a very good team they will have to play much better with that type of lead. Going up 2-0 and giving up the next 13 shots against a team that was scrambling isn't great. It worked last night but it's probably not a way you want to play.
 
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So you think a defense that gives up 7 even strength goals in their last 4 games is not showing improvement, and 3 of them were in the 3rd period at Owen Sound,so 4 goals in 11 periods plus OT in Kitchener against to me shows improvement .And I forgot to mention Cuylle's terrible giveaway in the 3rd last night not going to bash the D on that one.

Where were the D on the Cuylle/Zito screw up that cost them a goal?

Why when the puck was deep in their end, just to the side of the net in the face off circle were there no D? Why are two forwards the last ones back in their own zone.

Bad play by Cuylle and Zito not ready for the puck? Yes it was but where were the D?

I never said there was no improvement from the D.

Renwick who I was disappointed about Windsor moving assets for improves every game and has proved me wrong about my expectations of him.

De Angelis keeps getting better.

Ribau is settling in nicely from the little I've seen of him.

Even Sobolev has made some limited improvements but has a long ways to go with his decision making.

We've got two OAs that are playing exactly as I expected they would exactly how they've played their entire time in the league. Is there improvement from them? One is a definite no while the other just plays with a bit more patience while making the same plays amounting to no real change in the results.
 

hockeylegend11

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So let me ask then is 7 even strength goals against in the last 4 games,4 in 11 periods plus OT an improvement from the 1st 4 games.
As for the giveaway goals the players Zito and Cuylle should have looked to see where the D not just assume
I think Bronson Ride is adjusting nicely since game 1,the 16 year old is plus 3 in his last 5 games played after going -4 in game 1.
On blatant giveaways such as ones by Zito and Cuylle I rarely shame blame on the D
 

OHLTG

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As they should since Windsor has the 2nd most games played returning on their blueline with 499, OS is first by a landslide in over 700 GP. Almost every team in the west is being carried by 2 D taking up a lot of games eg. Kitchener/Soo/Gue/OS. So yes Windsor is ahead of all but 1 team in collective GP on the blueline.

Windsor being ahead of them is relative, especially right now. If every team has 50 games returning and Windsor has 75 (for example), that puts the Spits at the top... but not experienced. Also, GP as a group. Imagine you had a team that included Boka, Purboo, and 20 other second-year players. That's 313 games, 263 games, and 20 guys with 50 games each - 1576 games. On paper, that SHOULD be an experienced roster. In theory, it's far from it. Right now - Ladd and Henault combine for 336 GP (incl this season). The rest - 167 games (six guys). The roster in 2019-20 had four guys with 160+ GP each. They were an experienced group. We'll get there in time, but it's not right now.
 

RayzorIsDull

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Cfaub

So let me ask then is 7 even strength goals against in the last 4 games,4 in 11 periods plus OT an improvement from the 1st 4 games.
As for the giveaway goals the players Zito and Cuylle should have looked to see where the D not just assume
I think Bronson Ride is adjusting nicely since game 1,the 16 year old is plus 3 in his last 5 games played after going -4 in game 1.
On blatant giveaways such as ones by Zito and Cuylle I rarely shame blame on the D

Cuylle had 2 options Sobolev on his left or Zito on his right.
 

RayzorIsDull

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Windsor being ahead of them is relative, especially right now. If every team has 50 games returning and Windsor has 75 (for example), that puts the Spits at the top... but not experienced. Also, GP as a group. Imagine you had a team that included Boka, Purboo, and 20 other second-year players. That's 313 games, 263 games, and 20 guys with 50 games each - 1576 games. On paper, that SHOULD be an experienced roster. In theory, it's far from it. Right now - Ladd and Henault combine for 336 GP (incl this season). The rest - 167 games (six guys). The roster in 2019-20 had four guys with 160+ GP each. They were an experienced group. We'll get there in time, but it's not right now.

Your math isn't checking out because the teams trailing Windsor in GP on D such as Soo still has Calisti/O'Rourke taking up a large chunk, Guelph Chayka/Bianconi, Flint Gretz/Terry. So just as Windsor is relying upon Henault/Ladd we have other teams relying on 2 guys as well. The other 3 teams I mentioned their 2 guys are accounting from anywhere between 64% to 73% of their total GP. So yes it's absolutely a fair comparison because other teams like Erie/London/Saginaw fall far short in the experienced D category. I understand you want to deflect and pretend that Windsor doesn't have a lot of experience on D but that is absolutely not the case. They will get there in time?? After this year you're going to lose 400 of GP experienced. If you want an inexperienced D based on GP look at the roster next year.
 
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windsor7

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Windsor being ahead of them is relative, especially right now. If every team has 50 games returning and Windsor has 75 (for example), that puts the Spits at the top... but not experienced. Also, GP as a group. Imagine you had a team that included Boka, Purboo, and 20 other second-year players. That's 313 games, 263 games, and 20 guys with 50 games each - 1576 games. On paper, that SHOULD be an experienced roster. In theory, it's far from it. Right now - Ladd and Henault combine for 336 GP (incl this season). The rest - 167 games (six guys). The roster in 2019-20 had four guys with 160+ GP each. They were an experienced group. We'll get there in time, but it's not right now.

Why r u bringing up purboo boka.
Not relative. They arnt on this team anymore. Lets look at the today..
 

2023

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So you think a defense that gives up 7 even strength goals in their last 4 games is not showing improvement, and 3 of them were in the 3rd period at Owen Sound,so 4 goals in 11 periods plus OT in Kitchener against to me shows improvement .And I forgot to mention Cuylle's terrible giveaway in the 3rd last night not going to bash the D on that one.


D’s blew the zone. No d’s back there, sorry.
 

member 71782

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So let me ask then is 7 even strength goals against in the last 4 games,4 in 11 periods plus OT an improvement from the 1st 4 games.
As for the giveaway goals the players Zito and Cuylle should have looked to see where the D not just assume
I think Bronson Ride is adjusting nicely since game 1,the 16 year old is plus 3 in his last 5 games played after going -4 in game 1.
On blatant giveaways such as ones by Zito and Cuylle I rarely shame blame on the D

I just said in the post above there has been improvement from the individual D.

Certainly there's been some improvement from the group that they're all a part of never said there wasn't but there's elements missing from this D group that none of them bring or are showing.

If Ladd played more like Renwick, a bit more physical on a regular basis that would be a huge improvement but neither one really clears the crease. No one does on this team.

No one plays a physical game while still being able to contribute offensively. Ribau may be able to bring a bit of that this year based on his start in Sudbury but that's not the main expectation of him and shouldn't be expected.

In the last 4 games they also have 2 wins, a low scoring shootout win and a loss where they were reportedly the much better team.

Special teams are brutal, PP and PK but the two wins they had also had Downey in net. The team played with more confidence but that doesn't mean they played better. I've also pointed out how the D has been fortunate that the forwards have been getting back to cover. As you said earlier D is a team game, I agree wholeheartedly but you Dmen also have to contribute to the D game instead of relying on the forwards to do all the heavy lifting.

I mean maybe that's part of the reason the offence has been so anemic, covering for the D, possibly lacking confidence in the starter, always focusing on having to be the first one back since some of the D are always the last.

How would this D group do if they didn't have that type of support.

Downey made a lot of big and timely saves last night bailed almost everybody out at one point or another.

Is that a credit to the D? I don't think so.
 

RayzorIsDull

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I just said in the post above there has been improvement from the individual D.

Certainly there's been some improvement from the group that they're all a part of never said there wasn't but there's elements missing from this D group that none of them bring or are showing.

If Ladd played more like Renwick, a bit more physical on a regular basis that would be a huge improvement but neither one really clears the crease. No one does on this team.

No one plays a physical game while still being able to contribute offensively. Ribau may be able to bring a bit of that this year based on his start in Sudbury but that's not the main expectation of him and shouldn't be expected.

In the last 4 games they also have 2 wins, a low scoring shootout win and a loss where they were reportedly the much better team.

Special teams are brutal, PP and PK but the two wins they had also had Downey in net. The team played with more confidence but that doesn't mean they played better. I've also pointed out how the D has been fortunate that the forwards have been getting back to cover. As you said earlier D is a team game, I agree wholeheartedly but you Dmen also have to contribute to the D game instead of relying on the forwards to do all the heavy lifting.

I mean maybe that's part of the reason the offence has been so anemic, covering for the D, possibly lacking confidence in the starter, always focusing on having to be the first one back since some of the D are always the last.

How would this D group do if they didn't have that type of support.

Downey made a lot of big and timely saves last night bailed almost everybody out at one point or another.

Is that a credit to the D? I don't think so.

I agree with a lot of this no real complaints with Renwick, Ride has made strides and Ribau has been solid. Then when you look collectively it's not evolving into a good overall D.

If we are into cherry picking stats or sample sizes they have played 8 games and look at every 2 games.

Game 1-2 8 GA
Game 3-4 9 GA
Game 5-6 7 GA
Game 7-8 8 GA

Seems pretty consistent to me and we can look at even strength goals, what the PK is doing or not doing but all goals count 1. A 4 game sample size of 7 even strength goals when over those last 4 games they have given up 15 goals matters little. Their PK can't be this bad forever just as they will give up more than 1.75 GAA on even strength over the year. It will even itself out as the season goes on but considering the Spits only play 9 different teams this year you're going to find out quickly how the match up against teams.
 
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RayzorIsDull

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Guelph pulled their goalie last night after the second goal on the 4th shot. We've seen that routine before. Maybe Marc should be doing the same thing to send a "message"? Don't leave them in until the game is out of hand before you make a change. This league is all about the W's so coach for a win.

I am in favor of that you can't win a game in the first 5 minutes but you can certainly lose a game. Quick hooks I am fine with because in this type of season every point conceivably matters. I would say the pull worked in the short term for Guelph, got a goal and 13 straight shots. Then they gave up a breakaway goal to make it 3-1.
 

RayzorIsDull

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Jean Luc Foudy continues to burn things up in the AHL with the Colorado Eagles-NOT
In 5 games here is the line

GP-5 G-0,A-0,Pts-0 and he is a -5 in the plus minus stat.
When is Colarado going to do the right thing and send him back to Jrs.
He is on a crappy team 0-4-0-1 in their 1st 5 games of the season
Irresponsible! re Colarado.

You said that the Spits wouldn't need Foudy even said we would be saying "Foudy who." I think it boils down to the Avs wanting him at this time to play against men. Foudy may help WI for more than this helping Foudy. It's a double cohort he will be facing 8-9 rookies on average. You can view it as irresponsible but I am sure they have a reasoning behind it. There's a reason the NHL wanted this for these guys.
 

hockeylegend11

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You said that the Spits wouldn't need Foudy even said we would be saying "Foudy who." I think it boils down to the Avs wanting him at this time to play against men. Foudy may help WI for more than this helping Foudy. It's a double cohort he will be facing 8-9 rookies on average. You can view it as irresponsible but I am sure they have a reasoning behind it. There's a reason the NHL wanted this for these guys.

In the AHL,Foudy is facing taxi squads from NHL teams that weren't there last year,so that's a wash re your 8 or 9 rookies on OHL teams,his AHL has 16 forwards, and he is 1 of 7 yet to register a point,and he is the 2nd highest minus on them, highest amongst the forwards,while going pointless.
The others such as Perfetti, Perrault, Forester are better players,stronger strength wise,while teams like Montreal sending Mysak back to Hamilton and Florida sending O'Rourke back to SSM did the responsible thing and sent them back to the O.
Surprised you be think a guy averaging 45 or so points in the O should stay in the AHL with 3G,14A in 39 games with a -20 to boot probably because I think it's wrong not someone else you always agree with.
And yes I would be open trading him if he wanted out if he were to be returned.
 

hockeylegend11

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With Kitchener losing its 3rd straight game tonight 5-4 to the Hounds,at home,Spits need to jump on them fast,good chance they will be fatigued,3rd game in 4 days with 2 travels having played in the Soo on Wednesday and at home tonight.
Last week Spits played at Kitchener on the Friday lost in a shootout in a game that could have gone either,Windsor played the night before, though it didn't look it,Kitchener didnt,the reverse Saturday in Windsor, need to take advantage.
Will be interesting.
Just learned their captain dman Arber Xhekag was given a match penalty for slew footing at the 20.00 minute of the 3rd period

Suspension - automatic 2 games can see more assessed.
Take a look at video by Peter Knuelman
on twitter,pretty compelling for a 5 game or more imo.
 
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What were the remarks?

If Foudy is returned he's the odd man out and should be dealt for assets, even though Windsor is expected to be a contender.

The reality of the moment is that Windsor needs Foudy, not necessarily the other way around.

Regardless of taxi squads he played at a higher level and the competition he's now facing went up a notch compared to last year.

Young kids and rookies in the O are usually expected to struggle, at least until the U17s then they come back with some confidence if they play there. Many aren't expected to do much until their second season in the O.

Foudy played a shortened schedule in a watered down AHL last year and now has six whole games in the AHL with higher levels of competition and the cry to send him back, where he's supposedly not needed/the odd man out are growing daily.

What's being returned going to do for his development?

He's an offensive weapon who would be coming back after a year at a higher level to play against rosters loaded with rookies when he needs to develop both his offensive and defensive games for the level he's currently playing at and beyond.

As a 16 year old he skated circles around most players in the O with the puck on his stick, what would he do against 16 and 17 year olds who just started playing at this level after a year off while he spent the year playing at a higher level?

Instead of skating twice around the offensive zone with the puck now he'll skate around it four or five times?

Windsor needs Foudy, Foudy needs a bigger challenge than he'll get in the O. I would love to see him back, Windsor would only need four additions to become a top contender with him but if he is returned and the rest of this team hasn't started adding to the win column it'll probably be too little too late by the time he would likely be returned.
 

hockeylegend11

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I am sure their opinion is different.
And that is what counts...

Well he under achieved here especially his 2nd year and he is under achieving in the AHL,Colorado is doing a nice job helping in that area.
At this rate and I blame Colarado, prediction after 3 years his length of entry level contract that he has,will show 0 NHL,wasted development, either another organization will try with a one way player or Europe.
We know he can skate,the rest isn't being developed, cant be worst plus minus guy year after year with limited production
This is a case that gradually by the day of mishandledness, zero production zero checking, zero defense, zero physicality and it doesn't have to be this way.
Montreal did the smart thing with Jan Mysak and Florida with Ryan ORourke sending them back to OHL.
And Mysak was twice the player Foudy was look up his numbers when they both last played in the 0 at the same age.
 

windsor7

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Well he under achieved here especially his 2nd year and he is under achieving in the AHL,Colorado is doing a nice job helping in that area.
At this rate and I blame Colarado, prediction after 3 years his length of entry level contract that he has,will show 0 NHL,wasted development, either another organization will try with a one way player or Europe.
We know he can skate,the rest isn't being developed, cant be worst plus minus guy year after year with limited production
This is a case that gradually by the day of mishandledness, zero production zero checking, zero defense, zero physicality and it doesn't have to be this way.
Montreal did the smart thing with Jan Mysak and Florida with Ryan ORourke sending them back to OHL.
And Mysak was twice the player Foudy was look up his numbers when they both last played in the 0 at the same age.

I really dont think Colorado wants to know what a fan thinks of what is happening in Windsor.
They must have a plan.
Its their job..
 

hockeylegend11

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I really dont think Colorado wants to know what a fan thinks of what is happening in Windsor.
They must have a plan.
Its their job..

Yes they are doing a fine job with one of their prospects
0 production, highest minus on the team this year and last,great planning
Unless of course you are fine with totally underwhelming numbers and support lack of productivity and development.
Which means if you are,complaining of any lack of development by anyone that plays for Windsor now or in the past is flawed severely, metrics such as production, defensive acuity, plus minus.
 

windsor7

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Yes they are doing a fine job with one of their prospects
0 production, highest minus on the team this year and last,great planning
Unless of course you are fine with totally underwhelming numbers and support lack of productivity and development.
Which means if you are,complaining of any lack of development by anyone that plays for Windsor now or in the past is flawed severely, metrics such as production, defensive acuity, plus minus.

U can twist it any way u like.
Colorado think otherwise.
Thats their job.
They r not just a fan in the stands.
 

hockeylegend11

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What were the remarks?

If Foudy is returned he's the odd man out and should be dealt for assets, even though Windsor is expected to be a contender.

The reality of the moment is that Windsor needs Foudy, not necessarily the other way around.

Regardless of taxi squads he played at a higher level and the competition he's now facing went up a notch compared to last year.

Young kids and rookies in the O are usually expected to struggle, at least until the U17s then they come back with some confidence if they play there. Many aren't expected to do much until their second season in the O.

Foudy played a shortened schedule in a watered down AHL last year and now has six whole games in the AHL with higher levels of competition and the cry to send him back, where he's supposedly not needed/the odd man out are growing daily.

What's being returned going to do for his development?

He's an offensive weapon who would be coming back after a year at a higher level to play against rosters loaded with rookies when he needs to develop both his offensive and defensive games for the level he's currently playing at and beyond.

As a 16 year old he skated circles around most players in the O with the puck on his stick, what would he do against 16 and 17 year olds who just started playing at this level after a year off while he spent the year playing at a higher level?

Instead of skating twice around the offensive zone with the puck now he'll skate around it four or five times?

Windsor needs Foudy, Foudy needs a bigger challenge than he'll get in the O. I would love to see him back, Windsor would only need four additions to become a top contender with him but if he is returned and the rest of this team hasn't started adding to the win column it'll probably be too little too late by the time he would likely be returned.

Cfaub

Must admit I am surprised you would
stick up for a player who to date with 40 AHL games has 3G,14A -23 , highest minus on the team,underage,was underwhelming here in his 2nd year and you think he belongs in the AHL
5th highest scoring Center on the team
Numbers dont lie
92 points in total in 2 years,with high minus numbers overall,11 goal average per year ,you have to admit I know of very few if any would belong in the AHL if not for the special rule that doesn't affect 54 teams in CHL let alone normal times.
 

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Cfaub

Must admit I am surprised you would
stick up for a player who to date with 40 AHL games has 3G,14A -23 , highest minus on the team,underage,was underwhelming here in his 2nd year and you think he belongs in the AHL
5th highest scoring Center on the team
Numbers dont lie
92 points in total in 2 years,with high minus numbers overall,11 goal average per year ,you have to admit I know of very few if any would belong in the AHL if not for the special rule that doesn't affect 54 teams in CHL let alone normal times.

Like I said, I would love to have him back in Windsor, almost an unfair advantage with how he can hold onto the puck and skate circles around everyone but is this the best spot for his development?

What is he going to learn playing against 8 or more 16 and 17 year old rookies every night?

Maybe his lack of development/production in his two years was related to how he was used in his time here.

I'm sure if he continues not producing he'll be returned if his projected role is to put up a lot of points in the NHL If Colorado sees him as a 3rd liner killing penalties and killing time with his ability to control the puck while getting a few assists then he's not going to learn that skating circles around rookies a season long.

He's a key piece if Windsor wants to contend. With or without him they need four additions to be contenders but he becomes that extra piece that puts them over the top. Right now Windsor needs him and Colorado could care less since they've signed him and have plans for him. If he's not developing for the role they see him in Windsor will see him back in a month or two.

He may be able to get stronger physically here but he's not going to develop his game for the pros much more.

What's best for him may or may not be what's best for Windsor.
 
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