OHLTG
Registered User
I wouldn't be overly concerned. Reaction (both here and at the rink) is pretty much what I expected. As long as the club isn't going "yeah, we're gone. See ya in Sept", I'm not worried.
Windsor Spitfires 2022-23 Off-Season Thread (Part 7)
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I wouldn't be overly concerned. Reaction (both here and at the rink) is pretty much what I expected. As long as the club isn't going "yeah, we're gone. See ya in Sept", I'm not worried.
Not giving up on them winning this series. The shocking part was the game was still winnable going into the 3rd. Kitchener completely dominated that period on the road.
SpitfireHabs1
Registered User
Let's just hope Savard doesn't go back to Onuska after 1 loss. It will be a joke if he does but no one will be surprised because hes delusional and that's his #1 guy. No time for games. Play our starter Joey. Bowler and Crew gambled on a Jr B Calibre OA goalie and a 2nd year Inexperienced goalie. That's what we have to work with. Other teams as I've said before make game plans against our teams 1 sided gameplan and it's not to hard to figure out and strategize against. Congrats to Kitchener. Hope to see our coach Savard do his job now and make the necessary adjustments to our gameplan and style. 1 game but as I've said i think this will be a 6 or 7 game series either way.
OHLTG
Registered User
A few thoughts....
- Windsor underestimated them and it cost the game.
- You can't get down 1-0 just 40s into the game. That deflates the crowd.
- This wasn't on Costanzo and Savard has already said the kid will start on Saturday.
- Kitchener isn't your typical 8th seed; most seasons, a roster like that is fourth at worst.
- The Spits know that they messed up. This isn't a "well, we tried" kind of result. It was ugly and they all know it. Bad passes, sloppy stick work, and the list goes on. It happens. Live and learn.
- You know it's a bad night when you have multiple chances in the slot but, instead of shooting, you pass off to an unsuspecting winger. It's not very often I agree with the peanut galleries but SHOOT!
- Dust themselves off and get ready for Saturday.
- On a non-hockey note... from what I'm told, hotel rooms in Windsor are very scarce this weekend. As in the Rangers are staying in Chatham. Some others found spots around town but few-and-far between.
Savard said post-game that Costanzo is in goal on Saturday.
- Windsor underestimated them and it cost the game.
- You can't get down 1-0 just 40s into the game. That deflates the crowd.
- This wasn't on Costanzo and Savard has already said the kid will start on Saturday.
- Kitchener isn't your typical 8th seed; most seasons, a roster like that is fourth at worst.
- The Spits know that they messed up. This isn't a "well, we tried" kind of result. It was ugly and they all know it. Bad passes, sloppy stick work, and the list goes on. It happens. Live and learn.
- You know it's a bad night when you have multiple chances in the slot but, instead of shooting, you pass off to an unsuspecting winger. It's not very often I agree with the peanut galleries but SHOOT!
- Dust themselves off and get ready for Saturday.
- On a non-hockey note... from what I'm told, hotel rooms in Windsor are very scarce this weekend. As in the Rangers are staying in Chatham. Some others found spots around town but few-and-far between.
Savard said post-game that Costanzo is in goal on Saturday.
SpitfireHabs1
Registered User
Well Said, and that is amazing news about Costanzo. I expect a strong bounce back game from Him and all the players. We have got ourselves a series Folks. Game two is almost a must Win, don't want to be down 2 games going over to the Aud. As for the hotel room situation, we can Thank our Canadian Government and are Mayor of Windsor for this. Thank You for spending our tax dollars and booking up all rooms.
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ohloutsider
Registered User
Mr Peer I think he is talking about you.
That is a relief. I was worried. Can't blame the lose on him.
Spent way too much time in our end. Sobelev and Christoforo are the only 2 effective D we had last night. Here's hoping DeAngelis is ready to step in Saturday.
Jrb players are a nice to have to give the top guys a few minutes rest each period. They are not going to get you a win at this level in the playoffs. They had to use them far too much last night and it showed.
Morneau- Really! You rarely see this happen all year long throughout the league but to do it the game after your teammate does????? At least other than faceoffs he won't be missed much.
Go Spits Go!!!
Windsor was not prepared for game 1.
That's on coaching.
Maybe they thought the Rangers would just lie down n Windsor would win easily in this series.
A couple of players came to play. Joey, Wright n #16.
Way too many passengers played.
Passing terrible.
Defense was worst then usual.
Pp stunk.
Lots of material to work on before Saturday.
They better have a different plan.
That's on coaching.
Maybe they thought the Rangers would just lie down n Windsor would win easily in this series.
A couple of players came to play. Joey, Wright n #16.
Way too many passengers played.
Passing terrible.
Defense was worst then usual.
Pp stunk.
Lots of material to work on before Saturday.
They better have a different plan.
OHLTG
Registered User
Christoforo is my 2nd choice in that spot behind Renwick, as he has great vision out there. However… he had a couple quality scoring chances where he was looking pass first. I don’t want to be one of those fans that screams “Shoot the Puck”, but there were a few times, his best option was… well… to shoot the puck lol
TheGremlin
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I don’t like doing that either but i feel last night i was wanting to yell out SHOOT THE PUCK a few times. Odd man rushes they need to fire that puck low to the far side to try and get some rebounds if the passes aren’t there
You’d think vs a team that PICKED you over London, Windsor would’ve been ready. They weren’t. Passing was atrocious. Puck control on the powerplay was absent. It looked like Game 1 of a regular season with guys that had never played together.
Yeah, chemistry is built if you don’t line juggle, BUT, lines have been juggled ALL season. Which in this case, should be good.
We’re out 2 of our Top 9 forwards (maybe I’m giving Spellacy more credit than the coaches), we’re out 2 of our Top 4 D men, if there was this, “you play this line with these guys all the time” mentality, the clusterF of last night makes sense.
But that’s not the case. All these guys have played with each other somepoint throughout the season.
Costanzo’s my number one, but that goal early killed them. It was like Joey gave up that soft goal 40 seconds in, and then the team started playing in front of Onuska.
It was a weird game. For a second I had to look and see if Letowski had replaced Savard on the bench. We were down multiple goals and it looked like we were playing to defend the lead.
Stupid move by Morneau. I like him, but dumb. He’ll be missed, I have to imagine if another forward gets the call it’s Birkett or Martin.
I’d say it felt like a preseason game but in the preseason there’s more checking. Sobolev made that huge hit and the crowd came alive. It’s no doubt Windsor still likes to see physical hockey. Making hits doesn’t win you games, but that sort of thing can build momentum when nothing else is going for you.
I wish we had a few more guys willing to bump some bodies around.
We’re not that gritty, rough em up team we once were, but we still have some big bodies that I could see really flustering Pinelli and Arcuri.
There’s not a time I’ve missed Abraham quite like last night. We’d fling pucks on net and then keep our distance as if it was a scrimmage and we were protecting our own goalie on the other side. Get in their face, fluster Kitchener, annoy them.
We’ve got a better team but simply putted, we were out manned last night. Not just in the sense of man to man hockey, but in the sense of the word “man” that would upset people in 2023.
Spitfires looked soft. Afraid of a scrum. Afraid of taking a hit. And Afraid of Kitchener.
The best thing about the game, was that it felt out of character for this group. If that was normal, we wouldn’t be sitting in the #1 spot.
This group tends to string together wins the same way they do losses, so who knows what’ll happen. When we lose 1 we normally lose 3, and if we lose Saturday, going 0-2 to Kitchener, raises some concerns.
Hopefully they show up fired up tomorrow rather than roll over and die mode. Because that’s what it felt like last night.
Props to Christoforo, Greentree, Sobolev and Wright who actually appeared to have an interest in playing last night.
Opinions can change, but stats are facts. (Granted there’s other factors…) but Spitfires are 0-2 without DeAngelis this season…
Yeah, chemistry is built if you don’t line juggle, BUT, lines have been juggled ALL season. Which in this case, should be good.
We’re out 2 of our Top 9 forwards (maybe I’m giving Spellacy more credit than the coaches), we’re out 2 of our Top 4 D men, if there was this, “you play this line with these guys all the time” mentality, the clusterF of last night makes sense.
But that’s not the case. All these guys have played with each other somepoint throughout the season.
Costanzo’s my number one, but that goal early killed them. It was like Joey gave up that soft goal 40 seconds in, and then the team started playing in front of Onuska.
It was a weird game. For a second I had to look and see if Letowski had replaced Savard on the bench. We were down multiple goals and it looked like we were playing to defend the lead.
Stupid move by Morneau. I like him, but dumb. He’ll be missed, I have to imagine if another forward gets the call it’s Birkett or Martin.
I’d say it felt like a preseason game but in the preseason there’s more checking. Sobolev made that huge hit and the crowd came alive. It’s no doubt Windsor still likes to see physical hockey. Making hits doesn’t win you games, but that sort of thing can build momentum when nothing else is going for you.
I wish we had a few more guys willing to bump some bodies around.
We’re not that gritty, rough em up team we once were, but we still have some big bodies that I could see really flustering Pinelli and Arcuri.
There’s not a time I’ve missed Abraham quite like last night. We’d fling pucks on net and then keep our distance as if it was a scrimmage and we were protecting our own goalie on the other side. Get in their face, fluster Kitchener, annoy them.
We’ve got a better team but simply putted, we were out manned last night. Not just in the sense of man to man hockey, but in the sense of the word “man” that would upset people in 2023.
Spitfires looked soft. Afraid of a scrum. Afraid of taking a hit. And Afraid of Kitchener.
The best thing about the game, was that it felt out of character for this group. If that was normal, we wouldn’t be sitting in the #1 spot.
This group tends to string together wins the same way they do losses, so who knows what’ll happen. When we lose 1 we normally lose 3, and if we lose Saturday, going 0-2 to Kitchener, raises some concerns.
Hopefully they show up fired up tomorrow rather than roll over and die mode. Because that’s what it felt like last night.
Props to Christoforo, Greentree, Sobolev and Wright who actually appeared to have an interest in playing last night.
Opinions can change, but stats are facts. (Granted there’s other factors…) but Spitfires are 0-2 without DeAngelis this season…
Agreed. Simple often works. The good Ole PAD pass. Very effective. Practiced by all teams ( or every team I've seen practice ) often during 2-1 rush drills.
ohloutsider
Registered User
So a tidbit from last night. In talking to "In the know" contacts they mentioned that a couple of scouts were there to focus on 1 of the OA's. Not surprised and had sort of forgot about that option going into next year. Maybe we see an OA sign a minor league contract and does not return? Certainly at least one I can think of that has had a stellar year this year. Anyway food for thought. Carry on.
Edit - I'm referring to next year's potential OA's. Did not sound clear once I re-read it.
Edit - I'm referring to next year's potential OA's. Did not sound clear once I re-read it.
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I’ll say the same thing I said last playoffs. Costantini isn’t that good.
When the alternative options are Brochu, Lennox, Gaudreau… I’ll happily face Costantini.
He’s an average tender. Put pucks on net, good things happen.
They were Looking for those pretty plays last night.
Review all the missed attempts that weren’t even shots on goal, and then look at the goals we scored.
Tbh, Wright never should’ve had a chance at that wrap around. Costantini isn’t far off from Onuska in getting OUT of position.
TheGremlin
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Billyjack
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An average goalie who won an OHL title, we'll take him!! LOL
punch1943
Registered User
It used to tee me off when the crowd yelled “shoot the puck, shoot the puck” Apparently a couple of the Spits thought the crowd wanted the puck shot to them. At least that is the only reason I can think of for the mental lapses afflicting the Spits.
That can be an opinion but if he was the goalie for a 1 seed Hamilton. Then balls out and helps Kitchener as an 8th seed. Just have to say Constantini is the Spitfires daddy.
OHLTG
Registered User
Looks like 6,200+ for tomorrow night. Lots of scattered pairs and singles with some smaller groups left.
Not a dig, just a fact. Plenty of average goalies have won OHL titles with a great team in front of them. Our backup was one win away from being one himself last year.
I’d be much more concerned if Jackson Parsons was healthy.
I don't watch the East much but I don’t recall seeing a game and going, wow, Costantini was great. Or “he made the difference in that one”.
I’m ranking him below all the other goalies we saw last playoffs: Gaudreau, Cavallin and Cajan/Parsons.
I’d love for him to not prove me wrong over the next week and a half. Lol
RangerNation
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This was going to be a big year for Parsons. Feel for the kid.
TheGremlin
Registered User
So Windsor ends up being the only home team to not win their first game. Hopefully a bounce back game tomorrow.
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