Windsor Spitfires 2022-23 Season Thread (Part 2)
- Thread starter EON
- Start date
- Status
I would like Hebek to get more icetime to see if he develops. I expect Sobolov to move on next year, so if Hebek doesn't develop, his replacement will come in the 2nd round of a weak import draft ( No Russians). Since it appears that we will be drafting late in the draft, the 1st round will be dicey. I would rather have 17YO Hebek playing than 19YO Jodoin, who I don't believe has OA potential.
HockeyPops
Registered User
- Aug 20, 2018
- 7,817
- 6,897
Is Onuska really suddenly not good enough to get the job done after leading the team to 1 win short of the championship last year? Surely Onuska/Constanzo is a great 1 2 punch for this run, no?
Last edited:
Small correction Hebek is a 2004 born so he is 18 years old,you are correct re Jodoin who is a 03 born player.
Onuska's current numbers are not substainable, 18th or 19th best in the league doesn't cut.
He needs to improve, important to note without either goalie last year Onuska and Medina,Windsor doesn't get to the finals.
I am gaining confidence in Costanzo with every outing,if Onuska's numbers match last years playoffs Windsor in fine shape,if not there will be question marks.
HockeyPops
Registered User
- Aug 20, 2018
- 7,817
- 6,897
Constanzo needs to face some non bottom feeders before you even start talking about a change of guard there.
OHLTG
Registered User
Onuska was overall solid last season but had some streaks. There was a stretch where he allowed 3 or fewer in 8 of 10 games, plus five-straight to end the season. Then, he allowed 4+ in just five games out of 22 in the playoffs. However... there was also a stretch where he allowed 4+ in 8 of 10 during the season.
This season, 2 games where he allowed under three - the opener and last night. That means 10 more where he was 3+, of which six were 4+.
I'm a fan of the kid but something feels different this season. Maybe it's lower quality D in front of him. Maybe it's recovering from injuries. Maybe it's the "new car smell" wearing off. Maybe it's all of the above... who knows?
That said, Costanzo seems to be gaining steam so should be getting more starts as November goes along. Will he take over? I can't answer that. But, he's showing the coaches and team that he's eager to get more minutes and prove he's ready.
This season, 2 games where he allowed under three - the opener and last night. That means 10 more where he was 3+, of which six were 4+.
I'm a fan of the kid but something feels different this season. Maybe it's lower quality D in front of him. Maybe it's recovering from injuries. Maybe it's the "new car smell" wearing off. Maybe it's all of the above... who knows?
That said, Costanzo seems to be gaining steam so should be getting more starts as November goes along. Will he take over? I can't answer that. But, he's showing the coaches and team that he's eager to get more minutes and prove he's ready.
ohloutsider
Registered User
Costanzo needs to be sheltered for a bit yet. He just turned 17 so he needs some time. He looks real promising but not time to hand over the blue paint yet. If there is a need to replace Onuska it has to come from another source. Maybe Onuska turns it around and back to his old playoff self but to me just looks like he has not healed and is fighting it a bit. Kinda like Brochu. Hopefully he can find it again and be leaned on for another run? Be nice to use picks on other Spits needs rather than another tender. Time will tell.
Games against 2nd place North Bay and 3rd place Saginaw hardly bottom feeders. We put all the faith in a rookie DiPietro and 2nd year Costanzo was a high draft pick for a reason. I'd play them 50/50 right now and see who earns the crease and then go to a 2/3 game scenario.
If that 's the case why is Costanzo 's average and save percentage much better,same D plays every game.
Windsor has only allowed 40 goals in 16 games 5 on 5.
When you average 4.88 goals for per game so far 1 game before the quarter pole mark,
better goaltending 5 on 5 and the PK is needed from Onuska, he can't average 3.85 consistently he needs to be better overall period.
Spits are 11--2-3-0 because they can score inspite of inconsistency from the starter.
Now if the other goalie has struggled you would have a point but he hasn't.
That being said like almost every team in the league I would like 1 more dman.
Agree excellent points made.
HockeyPops
Registered User
- Aug 20, 2018
- 7,817
- 6,897
Costanzo didn't play against NB. Saginaw IS a bottom feeder, they just haven't figured that out yet.
OHLTG
Registered User
He beat NB twice last year as a rookie NB finished 2nd last season with 93 points.
OHLTG
Registered User
Maybe the defense plays not as well .
Maybe work harder with young goalie as he needs more support.
All around defense needs to be better though whoever in net.
HockeyPops
Registered User
- Aug 20, 2018
- 7,817
- 6,897
Nobody is talking about the teams Onuska beat last season when questioning his spot. Same should go for Costanzo.
OHLTG
Registered User
Strangely, Onuska is averaging more shots against per 60 than Costanzo.
I don't think there's one factor but a combination of things, like I said above.
I don't think there's one factor but a combination of things, like I said above.
Nonetheless Costanzo playing both games against his former team is as much pressure personally as he will likely face regardless of how bad the dogs are right now. He's shown nothing yet that says he is not ready to move forward. Onuska only has 43 career OHL games vs 22 for Costanzo. Onuska started late and Costanzo is young and eager.
FiveHoleo
Registered User
- Jul 31, 2021
- 511
- 775
I don't want to pay that price for a guy who clearly doesn't want to be here at all, no matter how good he may be. I don't think he has the character to care enough about winning if he's sent back, it's strictly going to be a "lets get this over with" season for him if it happens. There is just too much right with the character and leadership on this team to make that pricey move and risk it all when they are already the highest scoring team in the league. Bowler isn't trading for Wright.
There are different ways to shelter a goalie though.
His first game was against the Soo they had played Fri/Sun/Mon afternoon against Windsor 35 minutes after the game the bus was headed for the bridge.
2nd game against Niagara Thurs/Sat/Sun afternoon against Windsor. Jumped out to a big lead was a sloppy last 30.
3rd game 2nd game of a back to back for Niagara at home and he was fine but Niagara is feeling it right now not playing good hockey.
4th game against Kingston 3rd game Thurs/Fri/Sun and a good game against Kingston.
Costanzo never played against Saginaw. They have pretty much played 25% of their season to this point and Onuska will start most likely on Saturday. At this point they're going for it and will continue to play the OA goalie regardless of how Costanzo is playing. It would be nice if they just played Costanzo one up in the first game of the week against a very good team to see how he looks.
If you're going to be a bottom feeder might as well do it with 2 elite imports, and 2 terrific rookies in Misa/Willis. Then a few more real good players sprinkled in.
I think Wyatt Johnston is more likely in a Spitfires uniform than Shane Wright this year. And I don't think Wyatt Johnston will be in Windsor.
Is there a link out there to the draft pick database? I know I've seen it shared over the years, but wasn't sure if there's a "go to" for it.
Is there a link out there to the draft pick database? I know I've seen it shared over the years, but wasn't sure if there's a "go to" for it.
SpitfireHabs1
Registered User
Selfishly hoping for Wyatt Johnston to be snake bitten up in the nhl. Hes been playing good but has been pointless in last few games, also if Dallas starts too crap the bed before the 40 game mark, you just never know. Realistic I want Wyatt to dominate and win the Calder, it's always fun and a good feeling to watch former Spitfires succeed at the NHL level. Either way I'm pretty confident in this squad. And TBH I'm about as confident in Onuska as last season/playoffs, I truly believe Savard has over hyped him the past two years, numbers do not lie he has never been an elite goalie in this league, Medina level skill with a more of a yes man attitude which gets you places sometimes in this league, Onuska just listens to what the coaches are saying and he continues to be the guy. I dont know if anything will change this season and that's even if we dont see better statistical numbers. Mark savard has these boys playing run and gun hockey, score first mentality and play d in between lol. It's been working as the last two years this team has exceeded expectations and then some. But let's see how this season transcends, last year if we had another big save or two In the Hamilton series I think you potentially see a different champ, the spitfires were the only team to hang with the Bulldogs, but when it came done to it, the most COMPLETE team won. Hope for a different result this year, tons of season left and hope to at least fix up the 5-7 D slots and make a stronger team.
Off to the game, big rivalry game, hoping for Constanzo in net but my Gut is telling me Onuska. Knights coming off an OT win I will be interested if they start Brochu in Back to Backs( he has looked brutal this year), or if they go with the back up. Let's just hope for a hard hitting full 60 minute effort it shouldn't be hard in these games against London.
Cheers
Screw London!
And Go Spits Go!!
Off to the game, big rivalry game, hoping for Constanzo in net but my Gut is telling me Onuska. Knights coming off an OT win I will be interested if they start Brochu in Back to Backs( he has looked brutal this year), or if they go with the back up. Let's just hope for a hard hitting full 60 minute effort it shouldn't be hard in these games against London.
Cheers
Screw London!
And Go Spits Go!!
ohloutsider
Registered User
- Status
