Windsor Spitfires 2022-23 Season Thread (Part 6)

[OMG67]

That 6 goal shouldn't count.
Not like it matters in a blowout

At first I didn’t think there was interference and then I saw the overhead camera and said there was no doubt. There was total interference and no goal. Then they say good goal. Why bother reviewing anything? I mean, Sirman pushed his skate into Onuska’s groin on purpose. HE didn’t try to remove it at all. And this is coming from a 67’s fan. That review, in my eyes, was brutal.

 

[OMG67]

London plays a great defensive game and always seems to win the close games. I think in 4 of their last 5 wins they were actually losing in the 3rd period and came back to win. They never lose in OT either. Windsor can't win low scoring games. Oh and London has the best road record in the OHL.

London and Ottawa are both really solid ont he back end with good team defence and goaltending. North Bay as well. It is tough to beat teams that are committed to defence but can also score.

IMO, Windsor has the type of team that can compile wins int he regular season and probably the first two rounds of the playoffs but it is tough to outscore really solid defensive teams.

 

[Travis Bickle 77]

The Spits alow the opposition to own the front of our net. We go near the other teams crease and it's flies to shit. Forwards lazy watching players skate in. Multiple occasions 1 67's player skates dead center through the neutral zone and our 3 forwards swipe with their sticks like broomball. Onuska played great considering the seige of 50 plus shots. PP dead again tonight but at least there were less drop passes. They knew they could and did bully us every opportunity. Word is out on how to play this soft team. Ouch. I'm not confident even against Kingston now. Next week is even worse schedule with Knights, Flint and Sarnia. Need to right the ship if possible.

If you don't play this game with a big bag of knuckles.....You don't have Dinky Doo!

 

[TheGremlin]

London and Ottawa are both really solid ont he back end with good team defence and goaltending. North Bay as well. It is tough to beat teams that are committed to defence but can also score.

IMO, Windsor has the type of team that can compile wins int he regular season and probably the first two rounds of the playoffs but it is tough to outscore really solid defensive teams.

Don’t say that. Some feel the offence can outscore everyone and defense isn’t as important. Some might be in for a rude awakening cause defence and goaltending will usually win out in most cases.

 

[OMG67]

Don’t say that. Some feel the offence can outscore everyone and defense isn’t as important. Some might be in for a rude awakening cause defence and goaltending will usually win out in most cases.

It is great when you have both. In Junior hockey, the teams that are really strong defensively are also strong offensively. Ottawa has given up 76 less goals than Windsor On the season. But, offensively, Windsor has only 41 more goals which is a hell of a lot. But, the differential is still +35 in Ottawa’s favour. That is a big difference. London and North Bay are in a better differential as well, close to 1/2 goal per game better.

Windsor is coached by a player who never gave a rats ass about defence as a player. Fun to watch for sure. But you need to keep the puck out of your net.

It has been interesting to watch the evolution of Mintyukov in Ottawa. When he first came here at the deadline, he was jumping into the play and totally out of control compared to the system Ottawa plays. It took him a while to integrate and find his groove in our system. It just goes to show that great players can adjust when the proper coaching puts a system in place. Quality players can play defensive and still score.

From my perspective, Windsor has the quality players but needs to play more responsible. That comes from the coach.

 

[OHLTG]

If you missed it it is easy to look up on the OHL site or the Spits site.
If you choose to not want to apply context to simple stats I can't help you.

Or, you can show me where stuff is and I can go from there. I do research in my day-to-day life so am happy to dig stuff up and look around if I have the tools. If you think I'm someone who's going to pick and choose, you're very mistaken.

As for the game tonight - they need to play better. Plain and simple. Offensively, they're not getting it done, and it's costing them defensively. Get back to the basics of what made them successful. That said, Sunday is kind of the biggest test at this point. We knew Ptbo would give them a serious game and we knew Ottawa would be a beast. Kingston should be a win but they have to want that now. Going home against London, losing four-straight, won't help anything.

From my perspective, Windsor has the quality players but needs to play more responsible. That comes from the coach.

One thing Savard has said over and over and over again is "play the right way." He's given them room to play a little more loose, such as the first game after the deadline when they were all excited about the new players, but his systems are very strict and effective. For the most part, the players have bought in.

 

[Travis Bickle 77]

As a poster on this thread for the last few years or so....I have restrained a little bit in regards to my posts this season. I like many on here have been give and take...quick to jump on the offensive bandwagon....but also if any of you have read my posts you have also seen I am quick to judge the Spitfires defensive systems and goaltending situation. After tonight's game against Ottawa....it's time for me to be completely honest. Delmore's defensive system is not working....has not worked since training camp. The players cannot grasp it or execute it properly. This defensive system is very common in the NHL, KHL, Europe, AHL, ECHL on the penalty kill. This defensive system is intended to take away passing lanes and forward encroachment/progression on the penalty kill. What do the Spitfires do?....they fail to clear in front of the net and let the opposition fire at will in the slot. Nothing really has been done to address this.....and I will say it ....fully knowing I could possibly get some harsh feedback.....I know that the Spitfire players love Delmore.....but previous to his on ice emergency....things were looking rough on the defensive aspect. Delmore comes back after his medical emergency......and the defense still looks like shit! I mean take the rose colored glasses off.... pretend that you are not a Spitfire fan.... rewatch at least 15 Spitfire regular season games from the start of the season till now....and give me an honest perspective of our defensive system. Here we are at the tail end of this season....and the Spitfires cannot compete against the top ranked Eastern teams in the OHL.... at least not on the road....When the Spitfires play a top 5 Western or Eastern Conference team.....on the road....the Spitfires fail to win these big adversity games.This has as of now been proven. Sorry I don't mean to get into a long rant.....but honestly this is my opinion hole hearted. I have watched MANY OHL games this season right from opening night...week one of the 2022-2023 Season.... London, North Bay, Ottawa, Peterborough, Hamilton, Owen Sound, Sarnia... and as a Spitfire fan I can honestly say that I am very worried when it comes to this seasons playoffs.

 

[ohloutsider]

Watched the last 10 minutes of the first period. It was 2-0 when I turned it on and 3-0 when I decided to watch another game to see good hockey.

Not sure what is wrong but players and coaches sure not getting connected was very obvious? The effort level from most of them was nonexistent. Maggio seemed to be the exception. Really not the time of year to be floating through games. I could list the players but it seems to be the vets who are not engaged.
If you go back the last 6 games you could see this coming. Barely beating the Soo and Missy. What really bothers me is coaches don't seem to address it. Players getting regular shifts no matter how bad they play. Maybe some time watching from the bleachers might wake some of them up? Their not playing hard or winning anyway so why would it hurt? Yes probably an over reaction but something needs to be done .

Maybe a win in Kingston but then on to what I think is even harder weekend. Hopefully they hold onto 2nd because the buzzards are circling the road kill.

 

[OMG67]

The Spits are 14th overall in goals against. Anyone suggesting they have a good defensive system in place is mistaken.

The Spits have a more than talented enough team to play a system that would get them down to around top 6 in goals against. Would it adversely affect their offence? Yes. They would score less goals for sure. But, they would win more low scoring games.

Ottawa has given up 2 goals against or less in 30 games this season. North Bay? 24. London? 27….. Windsor? 12….. Imagine how many games a team that has average offence can win giving up 2 or less goals per game 50% of the time…..

There is a reason why Ottawa , London, and North Bay have been so successful. They don’t let the opposition score.

Windsor has more than enough talent to execute a defensive system and score at a top 5 clip. It is just unfortunate that the coaching staff has not found a way to get the players to consistently execute it. If they can, Windsor may be the best team in the league with the weapons at their disposal.

 

[spits]

Watched the last 10 minutes of the first period. It was 2-0 when I turned it on and 3-0 when I decided to watch another game to see good hockey.

Not sure what is wrong but players and coaches sure not getting connected was very obvious? The effort level from most of them was nonexistent. Maggio seemed to be the exception. Really not the time of year to be floating through games. I could list the players but it seems to be the vets who are not engaged.
If you go back the last 6 games you could see this coming. Barely beating the Soo and Missy. What really bothers me is coaches don't seem to address it. Players getting regular shifts no matter how bad they play. Maybe some time watching from the bleachers might wake some of them up? Their not playing hard or winning anyway so why would it hurt? Yes probably an over reaction but something needs to be done .

Maybe a win in Kingston but then on to what I think is even harder weekend. Hopefully they hold onto 2nd because the buzzards are circling the road kill.

They'll definitely hold onto 2nd lol, they have a 13-point lead with 12 games remaining. They would have to go about 4-8 in the last 12 games and Sarnia would need to go 12-2 to lose 3rd place. Definitely not going to go 4-8. I do think finishing in 1st place in the conference is likely not happening at this point.

 

[OHLTG]

This team has been the same way all season. Great, slump, great, slump... and, after their last slump, they won nine straight. I'm not expecting that now but this isn't a team that's going to role over. They know there are issues and have said multiple times since the deadline. It's up to Savard, Maggio, et al. to figure it out.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

The Spits are 14th overall in goals against. Anyone suggesting they have a good defensive system in place is mistaken.

The Spits have a more than talented enough team to play a system that would get them down to around top 6 in goals against. Would it adversely affect their offence? Yes. They would score less goals for sure. But, they would win more low scoring games.

Ottawa has given up 2 goals against or less in 30 games this season. North Bay? 24. London? 27….. Windsor? 12….. Imagine how many games a team that has average offence can win giving up 2 or less goals per game 50% of the time…..

There is a reason why Ottawa , London, and North Bay have been so successful. They don’t let the opposition score.

Windsor has more than enough talent to execute a defensive system and score at a top 5 clip. It is just unfortunate that the coaching staff has not found a way to get the players to consistently execute it. If they can, Windsor may be the best team in the league with the weapons at their disposal.

I don't think they will all of a sudden they will start playing better D. Maybe they are just better against the western teams because on the road against eastern teams it's been terrible.

Mississauga 6
Hamilton 5
Barrie 7
Oshawa 9
North Bay 5
Sudbury 3
Peterborough 6
Ottawa 6

47 goals in 8 games right around 6 gaa.

Windsor has been successful as well unless you were just pointing out the teams that give up fewer goals.

 

[hockeylegend11]

I don't think they will all of a sudden they will start playing better D. Maybe they are just better against the western teams because on the road against eastern teams it's been terrible.

Mississauga 6
Hamilton 5
Barrie 7
Oshawa 9
North Bay 5
Sudbury 3
Peterborough 6
Ottawa 6

47 goals in 8 games right around 6 gaa.

Windsor has been successful as well unless you were just pointing out the teams that give up fewer goals.

You forgot about Niagara as a Eastern Conference game Windsor won 11-3
Niagara-3
So its 50 goals against in 9 games
5.555 GA
Record a poor 2-7 vs the East on the road
But for context purposes Windsor finished 10-0 vs the East at home
Here are the goals against in those games
Sudbury-4
NF 4
NBay 3
King 3
Pet 2
Oshawa 2
Barrie 2
Ott 3
Ham 3
Missy 2
Total against-28
Average- 2.80
Same Defense structure
Analysis - Excellent defense and offense
Btw Windsor scored 54 goals vs East at home this year.

 

[OHLTG]

It kind of feels like a distance thing. They're far better at home than on the road but, even on the road, they're better in the West than the East.

 

[OMG67]

I don't think they will all of a sudden they will start playing better D. Maybe they are just better against the western teams because on the road against eastern teams it's been terrible.

Mississauga 6
Hamilton 5
Barrie 7
Oshawa 9
North Bay 5
Sudbury 3
Peterborough 6
Ottawa 6

47 goals in 8 games right around 6 gaa.

Windsor has been successful as well unless you were just pointing out the teams that give up fewer goals.

The point is when the good teams play each other, the stingy defences typically win. We see this in Pro hockey and have seen it for decades. If you have elite defensive teams that can also score goals in the top half of the league, it is hard for a below average defensive team with elite scoring to win.

The three OHL teams with the least goals against also have offences that are all in the top 5 in scoring. If anyone were to ask me what teams are the odds on favourites to win the OHL Championship, I cannot see pushing out any team other than one of those three.

The main point is that teams with great players can make a significant commitment to defensive play without adversely affecting offensive production. I don’t believe Windsor lacks the pieces to still be elite offensively while being defensively responsible. If you look at the London, Ottawa and North Bay rosters, the Windsor roster man to man is just as good without a doubt. Maybe slightly behind in goaltending. But solid defensive teams somehow get good goaltending.

Even if you look at goal differential, it looks bad for Windsor:

Windsor +51

London +65
Ottawa +86
North Bay +77

Peterborough +37
Barrie +21
Sarnia +31

Windsor is clearly ahead of the 2nd tier of teams. So, it is not like it is all doom and gloom. But compared to the clear top 3, it isn’t looking very good. Windsor is better than their stats.

 

[hockeylegend11]

The Spits are 14th overall in goals against. Anyone suggesting they have a good defensive system in place is mistaken.

The Spits have a more than talented enough team to play a system that would get them down to around top 6 in goals against. Would it adversely affect their offence? Yes. They would score less goals for sure. But, they would win more low scoring games.

Ottawa has given up 2 goals against or less in 30 games this season. North Bay? 24. London? 27….. Windsor? 12….. Imagine how many games a team that has average offence can win giving up 2 or less goals per game 50% of the time…..

There is a reason why Ottawa , London, and North Bay have been so successful. They don’t let the opposition score.

Windsor has more than enough talent to execute a defensive system and score at a top 5 clip. It is just unfortunate that the coaching staff has not found a way to get the players to consistently execute it. If they can, Windsor may be the best team in the league with the weapons at their disposal.

The Spits are 14th overall in goals against. Anyone suggesting they have a good defensive system in place is mistaken.

The Spits have a more than talented enough team to play a system that would get them down to around top 6 in goals against. Would it adversely affect their offence? Yes. They would score less goals for sure. But, they would win more low scoring games.

Ottawa has given up 2 goals against or less in 30 games this season. North Bay? 24. London? 27….. Windsor? 12….. Imagine how many games a team that has average offence can win giving up 2 or less goals per game 50% of the time…..

There is a reason why Ottawa , London, and North Bay have been so successful. They don’t let the opposition score.

Windsor has more than enough talent to execute a defensive system and score at a top 5 clip. It is just unfortunate that the coaching staff has not found a way to get the players to consistently execute it. If they can, Windsor may be the best team in the league with the weapons at their disposal.

Not disputing what you are pointing out,should be mentioned that last year Windsor finished 12th in goals against last year during the regular season, and cleaned things up in the playoffs, to win 3 rounds,win Division and Conference titles and lose in a 7th game of a 7 game series against Hamilton that swept the East 12-0.
Now last year Medina finished 3.05 regular season, Onuska 3.34,and in playoffs Medina finished 2.05, in playoffs, Onuska 2.77.
This season Costanzo is at 3.12 and Onuska is at 4.15
In the end Costanzo 's numbers are way more sustainable then Onuska's for success,all team areas need to be better and they did it last year,see no reason this year either when the playoffs hit.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

You forgot about Niagara as a Eastern Conference game Windsor won 11-3
Niagara-3
So its 50 goals against in 9 games
5.555 GA
Record a poor 2-7 vs the East on the road
But for context purposes Windsor finished 10-0 vs the East at home
Here are the goals against in those games
Sudbury-4
NF 4
NBay 3
King 3
Pet 2
Oshawa 2
Barrie 2
Ott 3
Ham 3
Missy 2
Total against-28
Average- 2.80
Same Defense structure
Analysis - Excellent defense and offense
Btw Windsor scored 54 goals vs East at home this year.

Well I can't wait until that Windsor-Niagara OHL Final for a better matchup. See you there.

 

[OMG67]

You forgot about Niagara as a Eastern Conference game Windsor won 11-3
Niagara-3
So its 50 goals against in 9 games
5.555 GA
Record a poor 2-7 vs the East on the road
But for context purposes Windsor finished 10-0 vs the East at home
Here are the goals against in those games
Sudbury-4
NF 4
NBay 3
King 3
Pet 2
Oshawa 2
Barrie 2
Ott 3
Ham 3
Missy 2
Total against-28
Average- 2.80
Same Defense structure
Analysis - Excellent defense and offense
Btw Windsor scored 54 goals vs East at home this year.

Windsor does have a significant advantage for home games against the eastern teams. They typically play on the Thursday which can be tough for the travelling teams. Teams tend to play sluggish in Windsor.

Same issue for Western teams coming East And playing Peterborough on Thursday.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Well I can't wait until that Windsor-Niagara OHL Final for a better matchup. See you there.

Just helping you paint a full picture.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Just helping you paint a full picture.

Ok

 

[ohloutsider]

Not sure which hotel the Spits are staying in but wondering out loud if the paint in the video room had a chance to dry after being torn off all day?

 

[hockeylegend11]

Windsor does have a significant advantage for home games against the eastern teams. They typically play on the Thursday which can be tough for the travelling teams. Teams tend to play sluggish in Windsor.

Same issue for Western teams coming East And playing Peterborough on Thursday.

For information purposes 5 of the 10 Eastern Conference games played in Windsor this season were played on a Thursday.

 

[rve24]

Just helping you paint a full picture.

And to help further paint a full picture as you suggest.....aaggghhh why bother lol.

 

[Cherrydon]

Bottom line is most on here had major concerns about defense all season and here we are scoring and PP dried up and we are in the loss column. Goaltending dies mot matter when you are scoring less then 3 gpa in the lst severasl. Usually a couple of players step up offensively each game but recently all are slumping at the same time. The goals have ben coming from the D still but the forwards have been out too lunch. Sorry but wish DJ was at every game as Colton was awesome the weekend of the nhl break when DJ was at the games. Not impressed at all by 90% of the forwards coverage in our own zone the opposition is in the seams while our backs are turned or we are strolling back hoping for a quick home run pass. When players skate harder offensively the coming back defensively you have a problem Houston.

 

[TheGremlin]

Just helping you paint a full picture.

nevermind. Its not worth it.