Windsor Spitfires 2022-23 Season Thread (Part 6)

[DetSpitsFan]

Sobolov's check in the 1st was massive. It was a clean check. Posters on this board say the Spits are soft and don't have a good D. That may be true, but don't include 10 in that generalization.

When we were without Spellacy and Sobolev, this team looked extremely soft. Guys like Morneau and Smith have been tossing around the body a bit more, which is huge out of bottom 6 guys. If you're not scoring, go out there and do something to make a difference. One of the reasons I loved O'Flaherty so much, and have high praise for Jr. B guys like Davis and McManus.

Also have noticed Maggio stepping up his physicality and even Harrison was bumping guys a bit today. I love that Maggio's willing, but if there's one guy not making hits, I'd love for it to be Maggio.

IMO Harrison is looking like an overspend, but it's good to see him adding a bit of physicality to his game. Hopefully this picks up as we get into playoffs.

To me Wright's addition as been as expected. He doesn't blow me out of the water with his play and dangle through entire teams, but he's got great awareness with and without the puck and plays both ends of the ice, which is really needed out of our forward group.

Dionicio has been a huge addition and he's got some crazy hands for a D Man. He's fun to watch.

Also props to Castle. It's been taking him longer to adjust than I had hoped, but his speed makes him a candidate to plug in on any line, and he seems to be taking advantage of the extra minutes he's getting with such a shorthanded group up front.

I'm going all in on Friday. Top Lines. No one "resting". Costanzo Starting. Win the Conference, then use every Jr. B guy we can on Saturday Night.
Yeah, it's not ideal. But it's sold out… You don't need to risk Wright getting hurt against a potentially chippy 2nd Place London team to sell more tickets, there's no more tickets to sell.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

Re: Sobolev Fight.

Glad it was instagated upon. He shook his gloves ready to go but luckily Namestikov was the 3rd man in so easy call there. Also… seems dumb by Namestikov.

He's Guelphs Top goal Scorer and had to sit an entire period (10 Misc, 5 Fighting, 5 Jersey Infraction, 2 Instagating) for getting his teeth kicked in.

Great Idea, Poor Result (Similarly to Savard's Timeout).

 

[OHLTG]

He's Guelphs Top goal Scorer and had to sit an entire period (10 Misc, 5 Fighting, 5 Jersey Infraction, 2 Instagating) for getting his teeth kicked in.

What's weird is they announced it (or I heard it, at least) as 2/5/10, plus extra 5 for jersey. However, on the OHL site, it's listed as 2/5/10/10 for the jersey, with rule 46.11 being used. That states that a jersey that's not tied down but gets pulled up to a certain point receives a misconduct. It makes me think their "5 min misconduct" was really 10.

I didn't see how it started but Sobolev looked to have full control. He's a strong kid and, as feisty as Namestnikov is, that's a tough ask for someone smaller.

That said... also, props to Christo for going. He's been getting angrier over the last few weeks, taking less and less BS, and finally had enough. I'd rather him go for 50 but, if he can show value with the gloves off, do your thing if it's needed.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Renwick left on his own power and it didn’t really look that weird. I was also thinking, up 3-0 against a low seed halfway thru the game. A bump or bruise, rest him for this weekend. If he’s out this weekend, it is concerning.

Costanzo’s given up 1 goal in his last 120 minutes of play. I’m riding Joey Friday on a full day of rest. A W at Budweiser Gardens and we’ve clinched the division and the conference, regardless of what everyone else does.

Should also note, Kitchener slid up to 6th with the tie breaker today. I’d love Flint & Kitchener to finish 5/6. OS/Guelph I think are both favorable opponents.

Then you give Onuska the Saturday night home start. Sold out crowd. All the thanks for his performance last year as a spitfire and take #33 into the playoffs.

We lose at Budweiser Gardens Friday, Joey deserves that start Saturday as a rebound game. I know you don’t want to hurt feelings. It seems Onuska is well liked in the room and the organization, but there’s no better time to clarify the #1 goalie then the weekend before playoffs.

Costanzo’s been tracking the puck well, his positioning is great, and he looks calm amongst the chaos.

This feels redundant since I don’t think there’s a single party here arguing Onuska should be the starter, unless they’re playing against us.

Agree with everything you said about Costanzo.
He is 11-0-0-2 when starting at home so far this season,his only loss came in relief of Onuska against Sarnia a couple of weeks ago.
No doubt should be the man going into the playoffs why Savard won't commit to that is beyond me.
Interesting stats I dug up.
Spits this year now are 37-0-0-1 when leading after 2 periods.
Should mention last year they finished 32-0-1-0 when leading after 2 during regulation so during the last 2 seasons Spits are 69-0-1-1 when leading after 2.
And people complain about the defense,well the defense rests lol.

 

[ohloutsider]

Good game last night. I thought one of their better team games especially protecting the "house". They can play team defense if they want to. This is what you want to see heading into the playoffs.

Goalie question has been answered and it is very apparent the team plays a better game in front of that goalie. Just need Savard to get that message. I'm actually quite nervous on who starts Friday.

Just getting a couple bodies back and some JRb players to round out the lines is a good thing going forward. Hopefully lots of JRb players Saturday to rest some troops.

Skuttlebutt at the rink has Greentree back for the 1st round and Abraham end of the 1st round or back for the 2nd round if they advance.

Need to take care of business tomorrow night so I can have calm nerves on Saturday LOL.

Go Spits Go!!!

 

[hockeylegend11]

I would think Costanzo gets the start in London on Friday,put it another way he better,He is 1-0 in London,Windsor is 1-1-1-1 vs London so far and Costanzo has been in net for 3 of those 4 points.
Other moves I would make would be McManus and Birkett come in McLlwain comes out we only dressed 19 on Wednesday so 20 now would be norm from here on out,and if Renwick can't go I would put in Ethan Martin in,still 6D,dressed without Renwick prefer him in though if healthy.
Now if Windsor gets the 2 points on Friday, there would be alot of roster changes on Saturday irrespective of the sellout crowd I would make,which I will suggest at the appropriate time.
Go Spits Go

 

[windsor7]

Windsor with the win. Step 1 complete.
Very full crowd.
Joey played great. Saved the team over n over again.
Smith played a better game. More aggression. Hope that continues.
Maggio with a couple more points.
Pp needs work.
Defense average. Lots of giveaways.
Simple 1st pass they struggle.

 

[Knownothing]

Good game last night. I thought one of their better team games especially protecting the "house". They can play team defense if they want to. This is what you want to see heading into the playoffs.

Goalie question has been answered and it is very apparent the team plays a better game in front of that goalie. Just need Savard to get that message. I'm actually quite nervous on who starts Friday.

Just getting a couple bodies back and some JRb players to round out the lines is a good thing going forward. Hopefully lots of JRb players Saturday to rest some troops.

Skuttlebutt at the rink has Greentree back for the 1st round and Abraham end of the 1st round or back for the 2nd round if they advance.

Need to take care of business tomorrow night so I can have calm nerves on Saturday LOL.

Go Spits Go!!!

Coaches interview aired by Beller before last nights game said JC was their guy going forward and to start the playoffs.

 

[ohloutsider]

Coaches interview aired by Beller before last nights game said JC was their guy going forward and to start the playoffs.

Excellent!

 

[Knownothing]

Does 1 point over the last two games give the Spits 1st ? The have the ROW on both London and Sarnia.

 

[Otto]

Does 1 point over the last two games give the Spits 1st ? The have the ROW on both London and Sarnia.

No, they need 2 points or the Knights to lose on Sunday to Kitchener

 

[OHL 17]

No, they need 2 points or the Knights to lose on Sunday to Kitchener

Spits only need one more point to clinch 1st, as they have the tiebreaker on both London and Sarnia (regulation wins)

 

[OHLTG]

Windsor needs one to clinch division, two to clinch the conference. They own both tiebreakers.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Spits only need one more point to clinch 1st, as they have the tiebreaker on both London and Sarnia (regulation wins

That's incorrect London is at 88 points and the Spits are at 92. If the Knights got 6 points and the Spits only got 1 point then London would have 94 points and the Spits 93. London would finish 1st.

 

[Otto]

Spits only need one more point to clinch 1st, as they have the tiebreaker on both London and Sarnia (regulation wins)

Spits are currently 4 points up on London with 2 games left 1 point against London would mean 2 points for London in that game so Spits would only be 3 up. London beats the Spits in regulation in the second game and beats the Rangers on Sunday that's 4 more points for London and first place

 

[Knownothing]

Spits are currently 4 points up on London with 2 games left 1 point against London would mean 2 points for London in that game so Spits would only be 3 up. London beats the Spits in regulation in the second game and beats the Rangers on Sunday that's 4 more points for London and first place

True true sorry for missing that.

 

[spits]

Regarding Costanzo, Savard was asked after the game if he is the #1 guy and Savard would not commit. He stated "We still have two games remaining and we'll decide after that".

Absolutely ridiculous. Coach still has not given Costanzo the #1 spot. Video is on the team website, 1:50 mark.He remains stubborn. I wouldn't be surprised to see Onuska in net tomorrow

 

[OHLTG]

Regarding Costanzo, Savard was asked after the game if he is the #1 guy and Savard would not commit. He stated "We still have two games remaining and we'll decide after that".

Absolutely ridiculous. Coach still has not given Costanzo the #1 spot. Video is on the team website, at 1:50 mark.He remains stubborn. I wouldn't be surprised to see Onuska in net tomorrow.

Here's the full quote (just so it's here) - "We have Onuska and we can't forget what he did here last year. Right now, Joey's really pushed the envelope and he's going to make it tough for us to make that decision. But, I'm not going to play my cards yet. We still have two games left and we'll decide after that."

I think Savard is hoping that Onuska can have a rebound game so he's confident in whoever is in goal. The impression I've always gotten is that he doesn't want to just toss Onuska to the side and he's doing everything he can to give the guy a chance to find success. That said, if Costanzo isn't the starter in game one, I'll be shocked.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Regarding Costanzo, Savard was asked after the game if he is the #1 guy and Savard would not commit. He stated " We still have two games remaining and we'll decide after that". Absolutely ridiculous. Coach still has not given Costanzo the #1 spot. Video is on the team website, 1;50 mark.

He remains stubborn. I wouldn't be surprised to see Onuska in net tomorrow.

I saw that part regarding goaltending question too bad about the answer,would be unfortunate if you are right about Friday's starting goalie at London.
You have in your midst the best goalie here since Dipietro, best average and save percentage since Dipietro, has allowed only 5 goals last 3 starts,1.66 average, 3 wins,plus save percentage, and in 2 games vs London has 3/4 points including 4-1 win at London,and a shootout loss here,Costanzo should be automatic starter Friday and as I said before if he and team wins Friday,he sits out Saturday, doesn't dress Michelone dresses and Onuska starts Saturday period.

 

[spits]

Here's the full quote (just so it's here) - "We have Onuska and we can't forget what he did here last year. Right now, Joey's really pushed the envelope and he's going to make it tough for us to make that decision. But, I'm not going to play my cards yet. We still have two games left and we'll decide after that."

I think Savard is hoping that Onuska can have a rebound game so he's confident in whoever is in goal. The impression I've always gotten is that he doesn't want to just toss Onuska to the side and he's doing everything he can to give the guy a chance to find success. That said, if Costanzo isn't the starter in game one, I'll be shocked.

Who is starting tomorrow is the question, lol. Chancing of winning tomorrow is slim with Onuska in net. They will have to score 5 goals minimum.

 

[OHLTG]

Who is starting tomorrow is the question, lol. Chancing of winning tomorrow is slim with Onuska in net. They will have to score 5 goals minimum.

I don't know if it'll be decided until either later today or tomorrow. It SHOULD be Costanzo but, if they want to give Onuska a rebound game, that's the one to do it.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Who is starting tomorrow is the question, lol. Chancing of winning tomorrow is slim with Onuska in net. They will have to score 5 goals minimum.

You are correct about your last sentence, in Onuska's last 12 starts he has allowed 58 goals,and only once did he allow 3 goals in a game,the other 11,4 or more,pulled twice,so has averaged over 5 against overall in those 12 starts,so really team needs to score a minimum of 6 to secure a win or unfortunately a chance to win.

 

[TheGremlin]

I don't know if it'll be decided until either later today or tomorrow. It SHOULD be Costanzo but, if they want to give Onuska a rebound game, that's the one to do it.

Jesus. How many bounce back games do you give him. He has had one after most of his bad games where Joey gets benched after playing a good game. I know it isn’t you saying it but it ridiculous that it is even a discussion point on here. Last i checked it is “what have you done for me lately” and not “what did you do for me last year”. Savard has given him every possible chance to earn the starter spot and he has failed at every turn. Its sad he won’t commit when the top seed is on the line.

 

[KyGuy9]

Here's the full quote (just so it's here) - "We have Onuska and we can't forget what he did here last year. Right now, Joey's really pushed the envelope and he's going to make it tough for us to make that decision. But, I'm not going to play my cards yet. We still have two games left and we'll decide after that."

I think Savard is hoping that Onuska can have a rebound game so he's confident in whoever is in goal. The impression I've always gotten is that he doesn't want to just toss Onuska to the side and he's doing everything he can to give the guy a chance to find success. That said, if Costanzo isn't the starter in game one, I'll be shocked.

Zero need for rebound games at this point. What's even trying to be accomplished here? Even if Onuska got a 50-save shut out during this last game, would anyone have confidence in him in the playoffs over Costanzo, be it fans, players, even himself? Onuska has had an entire season to rebound and has responded in 32 games played with...

ZERO (!!) games this season allowing under 2 goals
Four games allowing under 3 goals

You need your team to score 4+ goals in almost 90% of games played to win the game.

If the season's end results are directly impacted from the decisions made thanks to the coaching staff's "goalie controversy", be it from costing them home ice, the conference, let alone who's starting in the playoffs which shouldn't even be a question, that is a fireable offense for the coaching staff and BB. Absolutely unacceptable.

No blame goes on Onuska for this too. He's gotta play when the coaches tell him to play, his performance is his own but his usage is entirely a coaching and management issue. Both him and Costanzo should not be happy with how they've been handled. Coaching staff have made Onuska into the enemy (I see it now even from casual fans on social media comments) with how and how much they've played him and Costanzo isn't getting the ice he deserves.

 

[OHLTG]

From the Windsor Star -

It looks like Davis and Woodall could get a shot with the club, maybe as soon as this weekend. Several other names mentioned but nothing in stone.

Renwick is also listed as possibly Friday but "he's going to be OK."