Windsor Spitfires 2022-23 Season Thread (Part 6)

[spits]

Have you watched the last 10 or so games? This many injuries is not bad luck. Conditioning is quickly becoming an issue, playoff hockey is far tougher, 7 forwards for a month, you dont think weve got some worn out players?? Simply start Joey? Great but your ok with 1 guy? Always hope im wrong but my experience says otherwise but yep i could be wrong. Time will tell.

Oh, I agree with you in general. But yeah, simply start Joey is my solution to the goaltending. In the playoffs, most teams just rely on one goalie. He's proven he's one of the better goalies in the OHL.

Conditioning in that sense yeah, they are clearly fatigued playing basically 2.5 lines for 1 months now, but it's not a reason for the injuries. The Abraham injury appears to have been mishandled but who really knows. Spellacy's was due to a hard collision. Smith's was due to the fight, Peer's is minor. Just bad luck with injuries all season. Greentree's was due to a high stick, just fluke injuries.

 

[windsor7]

Wednesday game is important.
Hopefully Joey starts.

 

[Cherrydon]

Well Onuska style is problematic. Constantly overplays to one side and is like a fish out of water. The Soo could have easily had another 4-5 if they hot the open nets they were handed up. No doubt Onuska should not have started made which was worse as it clearly appeared he aggrevated the same "old" injury. The team even short had speed throughout the game so I am not pulling the short bench BS. I hold alot on Savard. Team has little confidence in Onuska. The D are trying to make saves instead of playing their position. Combine starting thr wrong goalie tonight with changing line combos constantly. Not a good tryout for an NHL coach IMO. Should have been an easy 1 point at least. You have a Soo team who had it in their heads from last night that they are not going to score and then Onuska serves up a gem on the first shot. Even the constantly shifting line combos every game tells the players the coach has no confidence in them. It spells panic. Not to start this argument but this team would have been better served with keeping Medina this year . Now what if Onuska is hurt again??? If a player didn't heal all summer to be ready to start the year what makes one think they will be good. No offense personally to Onuska but he has not been 100% all season. How that has affected his game overall is unknown. But he has struggled all year to get back into position quickly after sliding out of position side to side often we could have been 4 points up on London with 3 remaining I for one hope we get by the 1st round but not looking forward to a possible 2nd round match-up against the hottest team in the league right now. The Sting are no joke. Add in great goalie who gets somewhat warm and we'll be in trouble. I'm holding this debacle clearly on Savard. That is backed by the players obviously frustrated play and out of character discipline. The team wants the best chance to win and that is JC. Remember Mikey played 51 regular season games as a 17 yr old. Joey is at 38 so far. Enough said.

 

[Savard18]

I don’t know if I missed it but….is nobody gonna question Bowler on why there’s only 12 OHL forwards anyway? I mean if you plan on going 3-4 rounds deep into the playoffs it’s best to assume you’re gonna be missing 2, maybe even 3 guys in at least one game. At this point every game every single forward is way more at risk of also getting injured.

 

[rve24]

The squad is playing well all things considered. Like I said, playing with 7 forwards takes it's toll.

That's tough

 

[tomschman]

I still wonder if Onuska was a fluke last year. There were reasons that he never got significant playing time until his 4th season of OHL eligibility. Last year he looked like an incredible steal. This year you wonder why he is in the league.

Whether tonight was his fault or not, they should have changed goalies at 4-1. If nothing else, it sends a message to the rest of the team. Being so shorthanded, Onuska was the only one they could bench tonight.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

Going into this year, Onuska was the better goalie. Given the baggage with Medina, I stand by the choice.

Now if you told me I had Medina or Onuska vs Guelph on Wednesday after tonight’s outing?

I’m still picking Joey Costanzo. Lol

More ice time for the 7 guys, equals more time at risk of an injury.

Having 12 OHL forwards isn’t an issue. If we had 12 forwards going into round 1, with guys like Davis, Martin, and McManus able to fill a 4th line slot with an injury, I’m all for it.

Having 3 lines and needing 4th line guys to fill minutes on line 2, a week before the playoffs? Yeah, that’s problematic.

Unfortunately, the injuries are what they are, the deadlines past, and we’ve used our cards.

Let’s just hope the Spitfires can finally learn how to not let one bad game snowball into many, but if the last month has proved anything, it’s that one bad game leads to two, and leads to three, which will occasionally lead to four.

This team isn’t the, we got our teeth kicked in, let’s come back tomorrow hard. That was the 21-22 Spitfires. This team seems to be the, we got our teeth kicked in, let’s make an appointment with the doctor, cancel it twice, and maybe we’ll show back up next week. Which scares me.

 

[OHLTG]

Costanzo has to be your starter. Any "well, Onuska played well last season" or "when they're on their game" stuff is done. I respect the concepts but to go from a 3-0 win to an 8-2 loss says a lot.

This team needs SOMEONE to get healthy. I don't remember the last time they had this many injuries. It's a factor, it's a problem, and something needs to be fixed. That said, props to the guys who were dressed. They did what they could.

I still maintain that the first half of the game was a serious case of unlucky. The bounces, the missed passes, the general out-of-sync play... 90% of the time, that stuff doesn't happen and you win fairly handily.

Standings...

Windsor - 90pts, 3GR - Gue, @ Ldn, Ldn
London - 88pts, 3GR - Wsr, @ Wsr, Kit
Sarnia - 85pts, 4GR - @ OS, OS, @Er, @Nia

Sarnia's game in OS comes on Tuesday so we'll know more after that. I'd get into scenarios but that feels like a bad idea right now...

 

[ohloutsider]

Have you watched the last 10 or so games? This many injuries is not bad luck. Conditioning is quickly becoming an issue, playoff hockey is far tougher, 7 forwards for a month, you dont think weve got some worn out players?? Simply start Joey? Great but your ok with 1 guy? Always hope im wrong but my experience says otherwise but yep i could be wrong. Time will tell.

Not sure how you are linking conditioning to the Spits injuries? A stick to the face, a hit to the knee, a slash to the wrist? How are these conditioning issues? Onuska was told he needed to rest 8 to 12 months for his groin to heal. No OA goalie is going to chose to sit out his last year. They all have dreams so for him not an option. Conditioning is not his issue either. If anything playing this short handed will up their conditioning once others return. Players returning and taking pressure off of 7 guys is the key going forward.

I think Marc has his answer on who is #1 is. Just hope he understands what to do with that info.

Soo players never gave up after being shut out Friday night. Spits need to refocuse for the upcoming week. In all essence the playoffs have started.

Go Spits Go!!!

 

[Teflon]

Not sure how you are linking conditioning to the Spits injuries? A stick to the face, a hit to the knee, a slash to the wrist? How are these conditioning issues? Onuska was told he needed to rest 8 to 12 months for his groin to heal. No OA goalie is going to chose to sit out his last year. They all have dreams so for him not an option. Conditioning is not his issue either. If anything playing this short handed will up their conditioning once others return. Players returning and taking pressure off of 7 guys is the key going forward.

I think Marc has his answer on who is #1 is. Just hope he understands what to do with that info.

Soo players never gave up after being shut out Friday night. Spits need to refocuse for the upcoming week. In all essence the playoffs have started.

Go Spits Go!!!

You’ll notice i said strength and conditioning right? No im not referring to a stick to the eye. Yes the other stuff can be an issue of strength and conditioning. Yes O’s issue needed a year, this is a go year, how do you trust an overage spot and your goalie spot to a player who very likely isnt physically ok?? It is a business still and i feel for him but i couldnt have done that. As for the rest of the guys im guessing your not familiar with the rigour of this time of year. A few days off and a player or two back isnt going to fix things. Players become gassed, takes weeks to get your legs back and thats without games played. Its ok we disagree but yea im very concerned. Dont get me wrong ill eat crow if im wrong and i really hope i am.

 

[ohloutsider]

You’ll notice i said strength and conditioning right? No im not referring to a stick to the eye. Yes the other stuff can be an issue of strength and conditioning. Yes O’s issue needed a year, this is a go year, how do you trust an overage spot and your goalie spot to a player who very likely isnt physically ok?? It is a business still and i feel for him but i couldnt have done that. As for the rest of the guys im guessing your not familiar with the rigour of this time of year. A few days off and a player or two back isnt going to fix things. Players become gassed, takes weeks to get your legs back and thats without games played. Its ok we disagree but yea im very concerned. Dont get me wrong ill eat crow if im wrong and i really hope i am.

Well guessed wrong, I'm very familiar with the "rigours" of this time of year. Look back to my posts earlier in the year when I talked about players being "core tired". It was when there was discussion about Wright coming in and not having played for a good part of the early season. Bad conditioning leads to more stick penalties and focus issues. When you see players not engaged or missing or sending bad passes or untimely plays. That is a clear sign of more gym time mixed with proper eating sleeping and rest. Anyway I'm ok with healthy discussion and disagreeing as long as it stays on top of the table. Cheers.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Going into this year, Onuska was the better goalie. Given the baggage with Medina, I stand by the choice.

Now if you told me I had Medina or Onuska vs Guelph on Wednesday after tonight’s outing?

I’m still picking Joey Costanzo. Lol

More ice time for the 7 guys, equals more time at risk of an injury.

Having 12 OHL forwards isn’t an issue. If we had 12 forwards going into round 1, with guys like Davis, Martin, and McManus able to fill a 4th line slot with an injury, I’m all for it.

Having 3 lines and needing 4th line guys to fill minutes on line 2, a week before the playoffs? Yeah, that’s problematic.

Unfortunately, the injuries are what they are, the deadlines past, and we’ve used our cards.

Let’s just hope the Spitfires can finally learn how to not let one bad game snowball into many, but if the last month has proved anything, it’s that one bad game leads to two, and leads to three, which will occasionally lead to four.

This team isn’t the, we got our teeth kicked in, let’s come back tomorrow hard. That was the 21-22 Spitfires. This team seems to be the, we got our teeth kicked in, let’s make an appointment with the doctor, cancel it twice, and maybe we’ll show back up next week. Which scares me.

Actually going into the season,Onuska was not the better goalie,Medina had better numbers both in regular season and playoffs both in average and save per centage, he arrived at camp with no injury issues and performed well,the team kept him around into the 1st month of the season,while babying Onuska then let Medina walk.
I said then,and continue to say they picked the wrong overage goalie,and the numbers dont lie.
4.39 average and 869 save percentage by Onuska is not sustainable, they have won this year when he played inspite of him not because of him.
Thankfully Joey Costanzo has been a godsend,currently 5th in the league in average, 6th in save percentage, 3.09 and 899 respectively and he deserves to #1 unquestionably, should have started last night,terrible decision by Savard with team shorthanded and in the midst of a pennant race.
He and Medina would have been a better pair then what exists now.
Let's be clear when Onuska played I wanted Windsor to win,nothing personal his play unfortunately has been below par for most of the year and that could have been avoided.

 

[tomschman]

Not sure how you are linking conditioning to the Spits injuries? A stick to the face, a hit to the knee, a slash to the wrist? How are these conditioning issues? Onuska was told he needed to rest 8 to 12 months for his groin to heal. No OA goalie is going to chose to sit out his last year. They all have dreams so for him not an option. Conditioning is not his issue either. If anything playing this short handed will up their conditioning once others return. Players returning and taking pressure off of 7 guys is the key going forward.

I think Marc has his answer on who is #1 is. Just hope he understands what to do with that info.

Soo players never gave up after being shut out Friday night. Spits need to refocuse for the upcoming week. In all essence the playoffs have started.

Go Spits Go!!!

We had 2 OA goalies in camp. Why in the hell did we keep the one that needed up to a year to heal?

If I were Savard, the only way Onuska sees the ice again this season is if the Spits win on Wednesday and Friday and have clinched 1st. I would then play him on Saturday. Joey, if healthy, plays all minutes in playoffs.

 

[ohloutsider]

We had 2 OA goalies in camp. Why in the hell did we keep the one that needed up to a year to heal?

If I were Savard, the only way Onuska sees the ice again this season is if the Spits win on Wednesday and Friday and have clinched 1st. I would then play him on Saturday. Joey, if healthy, plays all minutes in playoffs.

Radical me would agree with this post but it easy is from here to see the issues.
Defending the brass a bit but they were only 2 months removed from the long playoff run and Onuska held his own through most of that even with the same nagging injury. I know it will be pointed out that the other goalie saved their bacon at the end of the Flint series but Onuska in a way had his career season in that playoff run. Short term memory and Spits brass felt he could return to that form this year so they picked Onuska over the other OA option. Hindsight is easy now and we all know they made the wrong choice.

Also I think they felt at the time that Downey would play a bigger role so keeping either OA would not hurt them. Again hindsight but both decisions backfired.

At least we have a clear choice for #1 next year.

 

[hockeylegend11]

We had 2 OA goalies in camp. Why in the hell did we keep the one that needed up to a year to heal?

If I were Savard, the only way Onuska sees the ice again this season is if the Spits win on Wednesday and Friday and have clinched 1st. I would then play him on Saturday. Joey, if healthy, plays all minutes in playoffs.

Agree with everything that u have written about,feel sorry for Medina,the team he is on is in 6th place in the Conference, 4th lowest scoring team in USHL,scored 149 goals in 52 games, 2.86 average, Windsor has 307 in 65 games 4.72 average,last year Windsor had 305 goals for 4.48 average in 68 games,Medina averaged 3.03,USHL 3.03,save percentage .908,playing behind Windsor 's offense he would have thought he died and went to heaven.

 

[windsor7]

Agree with everything that u have written about,feel sorry for Medina,the team he is on is in 6th place in the Conference, 4th lowest scoring team in USHL,scored 149 goals in 52 games, 2.86 average, Windsor has 307 in 65 games 4.72 average,last year Windsor had 305 goals for 4.48 average in 68 games,Medina averaged 3.03,USHL 3.03,save percentage .908,playing behind Windsor 's offense he would have thought he died and went to heaven.

Medina has moved on
Should focus on the goalies Windsor does have..

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Agree with everything that u have written about,feel sorry for Medina,the team he is on is in 6th place in the Conference, 4th lowest scoring team in USHL,scored 149 goals in 52 games, 2.86 average, Windsor has 307 in 65 games 4.72 average,last year Windsor had 305 goals for 4.48 average in 68 games,Medina averaged 3.03,USHL 3.03,save percentage .908,playing behind Windsor 's offense he would have thought he died and went to heaven.

Yes!!!!!!! Another Medina conversation. Why do you feel bad for him? He found a new place. Do you get royalties from Medina posts?

 

[Teflon]

Right on outsider! So much m a bit confused then. You dont see this team as core tired? Am i to believe your belief is the guys playing right now can get back to full charge with a few days off? No smartass feelings. True interest. My training says no way but im interested to hear other opinions.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Medina has moved on
Should focus on the goalies Windsor does have..

Medina has moved on
Should focus on the goalies Windsor does have..

Hey you focus on things all the time,add nauseum and this team is in 1st place,yet still complain, I see no problem revisiting things another thing you do add nauseum.
Bottom line Windsor kept the wrong guy.

 

[ohloutsider]

Right on outsider! So much m a bit confused then. You dont see this team as core tired? Am i to believe your belief is the guys playing right now can get back to full charge with a few days off? No smartass feelings. True interest. My training says no way but im interested to hear other opinions.

Well to be honest that is a player to player thing. Give Soblev 10 minutes and he is ready to go again. Maggio on the other hand seems to gas early but he does find another gear . It is usually the younger players that find the first year of a long grind tough. You see that in both Christoforo and Greentree. They are starting to fade a bit. The playoffs are hard because of the every other day thing. It can be managed but being able to roll 4 lines and manage minutes is a big deal. Getting players back will definitely help this but time is not a luxury they have right now .

So to answer some will recover quickly while others will not return to form until after a longer term recovery, which won't come until the end.

 

[hockeylegend11]

One thing I never thought would occur prior to this season was leading the league in goals for again.
Last year Windsor scored 305 goals
This season after 65 games played they have scored 307 goals for an average of 4.725 per game,last yr it was 4.485 per game goals for.
They are tied with the Winnipeg Ice of the WHL and the Halifax Mooseheads in the Q with most goals for ,all with 307.

 

[windsor7]

One thing I never thought would occur prior to this season was leading the league in goals for again.
Last year Windsor scored 305 goals
This season after 65 games played they have scored 307 goals for an average of 4.725 per game,last yr it was 4.485 per game goals for.
They are tied with the Winnipeg Ice of the WHL and the Halifax Mooseheads in the Q with most goals for ,all with 307.

How many goals given up?

 

[hockeylegend11]

How many goals given up?

I will let you handle the negatives
And at the same time answer who is in 1st place at this time.

 

[TheGremlin]

How many goals given up?

Windsor 255
Halifax 184
Winnipeg 165

 

[windsor7]

Windsor 255
Halifax 184
Winnipeg 165

Thank u.