Windsor Spitfires 2022-23 Season Thread (Part 6)

[spits]

What he says makes complete sense. The reason it's gotten closer is because the Spits have lost 6 of 7. They are still up 6 points on Sarnia, and would hold any tiebreaker of ROW because they are +6 ROW. As long as the Spits won 4 more games they would surely finish first in the division. Unfortunately people are getting it twisted and getting hung up on the goaltenders. They rank 14th in total goals allowed, won't really improve in that overall could end up 16th at worst. When the focus is put on the goalies strictly it's letting the forwards and defense off the hook. It makes perfect sense though because people talk about how many goals the Spitfires score but nobody seems to notice how many goals they give up. The numbers from Onuska hasn't been good this year but the numbers from Costanzo haven't been good since the trade deadline.

We know the defense is an issue but the coaching staff appears stubborn to change the playing style. Most of the d-men are always thinking offense. I think most people are confused as to why Onuska is starting against another top squad when Constanzo has a GAA 1.13 goals lower than Onuska, especially considering he played the night before.

If the Spitfires only win four more games then Sarnia would take the division if they go 7-1-1 in their last nine which I guess is possible considering Sarnia's remaining schedule. Very unlikely but the division is no longer a 100% sure thing. If healthy, the Spitifres should be able to win more than four of the remaining games. Fortunately, Harrison is likely back Friday.

 

[hockeylegend11]

if defense would play a lot better, the selected stats u stated would be lower..

if defense would play a lot better, the selected stats u stated would be lower..

You still can not answer why the 2 goalie's numbers distinctly different despite same defense in front of both goalies.
My view defense is a team thing not just the dmen,must include back checking forwards.
Windsor 7 the numbers dont lie,one goalie far better then the other this season, selected stats reference by you is irrelevant.

 

[Cherrydon]

Past 10 games. I'll sample our "top" players . Renwick-13, Dangelis and Christopoulis-6, Maggio -2. The only even player are Harrison and Wright at zero. Dionicio +4. He is the only big gun on the positive side. no wonder we lost 6 of past 7. Defensive structure or lack of discipline enforcing it by the coaching has been a major issue. Cooper sat Stamkos, Point, Kucherov for the entire 3rd period the other night. If the players are not listening sit them, if they are following the set plan by the coaches, we are in trouble as things tighten for the playoffs. Hard to change their game this late in the season. Woodall looked defensively solid as hell in his first game. In position all night and effective at it. I'm sure both goalies are frustrated with the lack of support from the team defensive structure. JC clearly the better goalie and should get 66% of the starts. Shutouts are a non- thought on this team. I for one am worried about the playoffs. 1 hot goalie and golf season starts early.

 

[windsor7]

You still can not answer why the 2 goalie's numbers distinctly different despite same defense in front of both goalies.
My view defense is a team thing not just the dmen,must include back checking forwards.
Windsor 7 the numbers dont lie,one goalie far better then the other this season, selected stats reference by you is irrelevant.

not irrelevant when it appears commonly..

 

[rve24]

You still can not answer why the 2 goalie's numbers distinctly different despite same defense in front of both goalies.
My view defense is a team thing not just the dmen,must include back checking forwards.
Windsor 7 the numbers dont lie,one goalie far better then the other this season, selected stats reference by you is irrelevant.

Does any1 have access to strength of schedule for each G, when they started in a back to back or 3 in 3 team games, promises for PT, trying to get both on track( I have no idea what if any addditiinal factors go into the decision but they are present, just spitballing potential considtations).......lots of things that are added to the equation in addition to the stats you posted.

But I'll side with all here that have seen far more, JC is the best option as of now. As I said earlier, I believe it'll work itself when needed. (POs the best option will start, as considtations wont carry the same weight, JMO)

Agreed D is team thing. One thing good defensive teams do is get buy in from the F group to always work back hard to your own end with a systematic approach (whatever staff wants/expects) to limit speed thru the nuetral zone, And limit OZone time....retrevals, outlets, win board battles, positioning, lift sticks ect...

 

[OHLTG]

You still can not answer why the 2 goalie's numbers distinctly different despite same defense in front of both goalies.

Can confidence in your goaltender play a part? I know that's the "don't say it" thing... but I'm going to ask. Do the players have more confidence in JC over Onuska or is that not even slightly part of the equation?

 

[Cherrydon]

Normally teams play looser when they have faith in their goaltender and tighten up when a weaker goalie is playing. Are they capable of adjusting in a game to game basis depending in who's starting. Maybe tension trying to over protect a goalie makes things worse, like trying to hard? We've used many and have had goalie controversy for years now after DiPietro. It is like groundhog day every mid season. New goaltending coach, I think it is still mainly a offense first mentality that is plagued us. Obviously when scoring dries up a bit.

 

[Teflon]

Get healthy #1. Get someone on the bench that will keep other teams in line or insist those there toughen up #2. Play some better D #3. Lol thats all it takes. Are they all doable? Will 2 of the 3 still get it done? For a team this talented to be derailed because their soft would be terrible. Players wont forgive themselves and BB would have made 2 critical errors in back to back years!

 

[OHL 17]

IMO Bowler has done extremely well. The Spits are in a good place!

 

[Teflon]

Cant argue that IF the winning comes back. He built this team to get to a mem cup. Last years team gets there if he gets the player instead of hamilton. Imho if you dont make expectations its failure. On paper hes done well. But this year for certain hes all in. Lets see how it transpires.

 

[TheGremlin]

I think the next couple of years will truly show us how good bowler is. Easy to come in and build a team that has pieces. Its another thing to rebuild it all after the winning cycle is over. Is he going to make this team like erie who is still trying to rebuild or like Hamilton who has won and did a rebuild and won again.

 

[OHLTG]

Bowler brought in Savard, plus nearly the entire current roster (except Maggio). They weren't expected to make noise last season and shocked the world, both at the deadline and in the playoffs. They weren't necessarily expected to repeat this season and Bowler said "haha watch this!" At this point, Bowler doesn't have much left to prove. It'll be interesting to see how he runs a true, full rebuild... but he's done nothing to show me he's incapable.

 

[rve24]

Bowler brought in Savard, plus nearly the entire current roster (except Maggio). They weren't expected to make noise last season and shocked the world, both at the deadline and in the playoffs. They weren't necessarily expected to repeat this season and Bowler said "haha watch this!" At this point, Bowler doesn't have much left to prove. It'll be interesting to see how he runs a true, full rebuild... but he's done nothing to show me he's incapable.

Shocked the world? Lol. A little hyperbole I think. It was a down year in the West. It seemed pretty wide open from the outside.
Yes the team took care of business and did very well, but shocked the world? The teams they beat in the POs......not world beaters.
This is not a slam on an accomplishment.

 

[OHLTG]

Shocked the world? Lol. A little hyperbole I think. It was a down year in the West. It seemed pretty wide open from the outside.
Yes the team took care of business and did very well, but shocked the world? The teams they beat in the POs......not world beaters.
This is not a slam on an accomplishment.

"shocked the hockey world" - better? I don't think you'll find many, including Windsor fans, who expected them to go that far.

 

[windsor7]

"shocked the hockey world" - better? I don't think you'll find many, including Windsor fans, who expected them to go that far.

Still very "generous" with wording..

 

[rve24]

"shocked the hockey world" - better? I don't think you'll find many, including Windsor fans, who expected them to go that far.

Nope not better, if you are genuinely asking. Maybe they shocked yourself but not the hockey world.
I don't think you'll find many in the hockey world that were stunned they won esp after the season started playing out.
If it shocked your hockey world, cool. Most saw a team that at first glance was a mid place team but all that quickly changed as the season started and actual games were played. They added at the deadline (not many did at all on the west) the ran thru the 2nd half of the season.
Had a soft PO sched comparing teams records ( compared to others years battles it was a down year quality wise) and an odd down year in the West......
Heck even I picked em as favs at deadline. As did others.

Just outta curiosity, who did they beat on their run to the finals that would explain the shocked the hockey world hyperbole? Reg season or POs. I think they were big favs every PO rd til Hamilton.

They had a great run, earned the West n finals entry. No doubt. Not taking anything away from that.

 

[OHLTG]

Nope not better, if you are genuinely asking. Maybe they shocked yourself but not the hockey world.

Then there's not much I can (or will) say that'll help this convo. No sweat.

Back to Bowler - given what he's done with this club so far, I have no reason to believe he's going to fumble the rebuild. The club wasn't expected to contend last season, nor were expectations that high this season. That's partially because of his vision and execution. Frankly, I'm intrigued by what he'll do for a rebuild.

 

[rve24]

Then there's not much I can (or will) say that'll help this convo. No sweat.

Back to Bowler - given what he's done with this club so far, I have no reason to believe he's going to fumble the rebuild. The club wasn't expected to contend last season, nor were expectations that high this season. That's partially because of his vision and execution. Frankly, I'm intrigued by what he'll do for a rebuild.

He has done a good job IMO over the year and a half. No doubt.
I would pic them to win the West PO again but I think there may be stiffer competition this year in yhe POs compared to last year.

 

[OHLTG]

Windsor's biggest enemy might be themselves. They know their talent level and they know the idea of "playing 60 minutes every night", but actually putting everything together consistently is the issue. That being said... the playoffs are a new beast and I expect them to come close to last season. It won't be easy, nor should it, but there's too much talent to lose early.

 

[tomschman]

Sarnias gained 8 points on Windsor in the last 10 games.

They currently sit 6 points back, with 9 games left and a game in hand on the Spits.

Maybe the focus should shift from “Are we going to have a chance to win the conference” to “can we hang on to win the division”

5 of our remaining games are against teams in the Top half of the Conference. (Saginaw (4), Guelph (5), Guelph(5), London(1), London(1))

Sarnia? 2 of their remaining 9 are against top half teams. Those two teams? Both 5th seed, Guelph & Hamilton.

Like I said When the Spits are winning, they continue winning. Once they start losing, they keep losing. We’re in a rough stretch, let’s just hope they dig out of it before playoffs, and they remember that winning is more fun.

One note on Sarnia's schedule. Their final 2 games are at Erie and Niagara. Neither team will make the playoffs, so it will be emotional games as several players will be saying good- bye to Jr. Hockey. While I think Sarnia will win both, one never knows.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

Then there's not much I can (or will) say that'll help this convo. No sweat.

Back to Bowler - given what he's done with this club so far, I have no reason to believe he's going to fumble the rebuild. The club wasn't expected to contend last season, nor were expectations that high this season. That's partially because of his vision and execution. Frankly, I'm intrigued by what he'll do for a rebuild.

Honestly thought they were better last year at the start of the season. Had high hopes for Johnston and Cuylle last year, and the blow that Johnston wouldn’t come back, hurt. They’ve done well given the situation. Cupboards bare now, but that’s fixable.

My biggest concern doesn’t have to deal with them losing, but them coming back after losing. Seems like they’re demoralized quick. One loss often turns to two and occasionally to three or four. They’re going to have to get over being hurt and be able to put games in the past and not let poor play carry over if they want playoff success

 

[DetSpitsFan]

One note on Sarnia's schedule. Their final 2 games are at Erie and Niagara. Neither team will make the playoffs, so it will be emotional games as several players will be saying good- bye to Jr. Hockey. While I think Sarnia will win both, one never knows.

I could see Erie having a bit of a spark and maybe a chance especially given Sarnias track record.

Those Ice Dogs have been melting since the season started. If they win out, they’re still 3 losses short of last years team.

They haven’t had a playoff finish since 2019, and they weren’t going to make it in 2020 before playoffs were canceled.

While it was great to get Dionicio, I feel awful for Ride, O Flaherty and Ribau for being stuck there right now.

 

[m2m]

Besides the natural possibl reasons to play onusk so much is what I haven’t seen anyone comsider ir mention..

Other reasons to play him more: Onuska has missed a fair chunk of games so they want to get him in and also see how he does against stiffer competition? He still obviously isn’t top form like last year’s playoffs so you don’t get there by riding the pine. I just don’t know if it’s just favourites etc but should have an open mind to other reasons as we all don’t know for sure.

 

[Cherrydon]

Let's get some things straight. Onuska was 14th in the playoff goalies in save % and 8th for GAA. Medina was #1 gaa and #2 save % in 5 games appeared. Last year's playoff form?? 8th and 14th is not great at all. This year JC is 15th in GAA and 17th Save %. Onuska's is 47th GAA and 44th sav%. I am not trying to bring up what is done is done but numbers alone Medina should have stayed barring any attitude reasons. Just on numbers alone. JC should be starting 2 of every 3 games the rest of the season and the majority if not all starts in the playoffs. Same defense for both goalies. Maybe the players have given up on Onuska and not on JC. Who knows. Teams do play different in front of other goalies but right now this team needs to curb the bleeding in goals against and JC offers the best avenue to achieve that.

 

[ohloutsider]

Past 10 games. I'll sample our "top" players . Renwick-13, Dangelis and Christopoulis-6, Maggio -2. The only even player are Harrison and Wright at zero. Dionicio +4. He is the only big gun on the positive side. no wonder we lost 6 of past 7. Defensive structure or lack of discipline enforcing it by the coaching has been a major issue. Cooper sat Stamkos, Point, Kucherov for the entire 3rd period the other night. If the players are not listening sit them, if they are following the set plan by the coaches, we are in trouble as things tighten for the playoffs. Hard to change their game this late in the season. Woodall looked defensively solid as hell in his first game. In position all night and effective at it. I'm sure both goalies are frustrated with the lack of support from the team defensive structure. JC clearly the better goalie and should get 66% of the starts. Shutouts are a non- thought on this team. I for one am worried about the playoffs. 1 hot goalie and golf season starts early.

This is true but bad "team" defense is not helping either goalie. Joey gives them a slightly better chance for sure ( about 1 goal a game) but the only way they have any chance of success in the playoffs is to buckle down on "team" D. That is all 5 players in front of the goalie buying in and playing team D. We will see but time is running out .