Windsor Spitfires 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 2)
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I mentioned that to a friend. The tough part is they still have 45+ games left this year it's a long grind. They're not in the playoff hunt anymore. So now you have a coach who's still finding is way. You have players that have to find it within themselves to keep working and grinding away. Whether it's a player working to improve their draft status or a player that wants a contract. Unfortunately that's all intrinsically based which isn't good for a team getting results. Of course maybe there's a game where the Spits give up less than 4 goals and Greentree has a 4 point game and they find a way to win 5-4 but those won't be a regular occurence.
ohloutsider
Registered User
There is nothing more that can be said. The Spits fans and the opposition fans see the same things. Poor Froggett now has a 7.12 GAA. That's what I was afraid of. It's way beyond line combo adjustments, goalies needing a miracle too keep the score respectable. Honestly thought after the B to B mem cup wins way back now we had an organization top to bottom like the Knights. The Hunters never have lost control in their tenure. Always a respectable product annually, poor draft orders and still a destination players want to come to. Hurts big to glorify the Knights as a Spits diehard but it is reality. Maybe the Dentist wouldn't have been that bad after all. That's a sad statement to hav to throw out there. Someone save us. Pinch me to wake up from the nightmare
OHLTG
Registered User
A few weeks ago, Smith said they hit "rock bottom" after losing 7-1 and 11-2 in back-to-back road games. I think THIS is rock bottom, though.
Since their actually decent weekend against the Rangers and Hounds, they've gone 0-5 and allowed 40 goals. 40. Freaking. Goals.
Going back to 1997-98, there were a couple of seasons where they allowed 10+ on two occasions, but never 10+ on three occasions. We're 20 games into this, too!
Looking through the goals tonight...
- So many miscues defensively, whether it was a pass off someone, an ugly bounce, not knocking someone to the ground, etc etc etc. There weren't many, if any, that I looked at and said "goalie has to have that."
With regards to the fights and stuff... the original Spellacy hit wasn't good but it wasn't horrible. When I saw it on replay, I thought "height played a part." Until I see another replay, I'm sticking with that. I'm glad his team helped despite losing Toms for the rest of the game and maybe longer.
I get why Pugliese went with Spellacy at center after that. It was necessary. I still don't agree with throwing punches when a guy is on the ice; I'd say that if a Spitfire did it. Throw while you're standing up or wait until the next chance.
I don't know how much longer this can continue. Smith talks about sticking to the systems. The players talk about how confident they are that they can turn this around. On paper, they're a playoff team. However, on the ice, it's fugly.
Tomorrow should be interesting. Fans are beyond annoyed and I can't imagine it's too long until the last few straws go "snap." I just don't know what that will include. It's sad that we have to say "I hope they keep it to single digits", but that's where we are.
Pray for Froggett... he's going to need some serious luck.
Since their actually decent weekend against the Rangers and Hounds, they've gone 0-5 and allowed 40 goals. 40. Freaking. Goals.
Going back to 1997-98, there were a couple of seasons where they allowed 10+ on two occasions, but never 10+ on three occasions. We're 20 games into this, too!
Looking through the goals tonight...
- So many miscues defensively, whether it was a pass off someone, an ugly bounce, not knocking someone to the ground, etc etc etc. There weren't many, if any, that I looked at and said "goalie has to have that."
With regards to the fights and stuff... the original Spellacy hit wasn't good but it wasn't horrible. When I saw it on replay, I thought "height played a part." Until I see another replay, I'm sticking with that. I'm glad his team helped despite losing Toms for the rest of the game and maybe longer.
I get why Pugliese went with Spellacy at center after that. It was necessary. I still don't agree with throwing punches when a guy is on the ice; I'd say that if a Spitfire did it. Throw while you're standing up or wait until the next chance.
I don't know how much longer this can continue. Smith talks about sticking to the systems. The players talk about how confident they are that they can turn this around. On paper, they're a playoff team. However, on the ice, it's fugly.
Tomorrow should be interesting. Fans are beyond annoyed and I can't imagine it's too long until the last few straws go "snap." I just don't know what that will include. It's sad that we have to say "I hope they keep it to single digits", but that's where we are.
Pray for Froggett... he's going to need some serious luck.
bobber
Registered User
SpitfireHabs1
Registered User
At this point if Bowler doesn't pull the Hook out for Smith after this weekend then he deserves the Boot as well. This Ownership group has to do something about this mess, Its only going to hurt there pockets more if this keeps up. No credibility with this team at all. Half our regulars should have been sitting games in the press box and yes I do mean play even more players down because it cant get much worse, were right in the eye of this Sh!t Blizzard. if you don't want to Hussle hard and play a 200 Foot game then take a seat.
With how our 03/04's have performed this year they should release or trade half of them, what a terrible display of compete and example of how to play in this league for our young Players, sad to say Greentree an 06 born has been the Lifeline (If Any) for this team, one of the only players brining it on a game to game basis but only so much 1 or 2 guys can do on a team when everyone else cant play High Hockey IQ systematic hockey.
Like Nesbitt's game the past 5 or so. Playing with some Snarl and a little more confidence, I know it doesn't matter much with how its going right now but nice to see and hope he continues to progress.
Expecting another 7+ against the spitfires at minimum tonight. Should be a blast to Watch. I mean it cant get much worse then Thursdays shellacking , Can it?.
Can we maybe turn the net around and roll 6 players. tell them to bank it off the Boards and in to the net to get a goal. We might let in less.
Fire Smith Chants, Incoming?!!
#ChangeNEEDED!!
With how our 03/04's have performed this year they should release or trade half of them, what a terrible display of compete and example of how to play in this league for our young Players, sad to say Greentree an 06 born has been the Lifeline (If Any) for this team, one of the only players brining it on a game to game basis but only so much 1 or 2 guys can do on a team when everyone else cant play High Hockey IQ systematic hockey.
Like Nesbitt's game the past 5 or so. Playing with some Snarl and a little more confidence, I know it doesn't matter much with how its going right now but nice to see and hope he continues to progress.
Expecting another 7+ against the spitfires at minimum tonight. Should be a blast to Watch. I mean it cant get much worse then Thursdays shellacking , Can it?.
Can we maybe turn the net around and roll 6 players. tell them to bank it off the Boards and in to the net to get a goal. We might let in less.
Fire Smith Chants, Incoming?!!
#ChangeNEEDED!!
LeProspector
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TheGremlin
Registered User
And this is why i think they should name Greentree the captain. Not that it will change things.
bobber
Registered User
Looking at the Spits team as a whole it seems that it is lacking proper direction. The players look to me like most do have a certain skill set and it's just not being used correctly. They certainly are not as bad as they have shown by the results of these past games. I was always surprised by the players the Spits manage to draft over the years. Is the goaltending and defense really this bad. I have my doubts.
I said to my friend it's a rudderless team which you're saying. You can only say they're a young team so many times. The 19 year olds like Smith/Abraham/Toms/Castle are the biggest culprits. Lack of accountability, poor import drafts, average overall drafting. You get the picture. It's not getting better.
He’s on pace to have zero points and be -112 this year for the Spits. I don’t think the end result will be any worse over the next two games. Not sure if Froggett just has an awkward style or what but man did he look shaky last night. Watching Constanzo the night before I’d be really concerned the 5th best goalie in the league doesn’t actually have any illness.
punch1943
Registered User
It could very well be an interesting game today. I hope that the Spits don’t start Frogett. If he dresses I hope it’s as the backup. I, like a number of fans, am expecting a nasty atmosphere. I believe that after today’s game the Spits play 6 on the road, which probably will be for the best.
The first road game is next Thursday in Peterborough. I think most of us expect a few changes by then. Hopefully these will straighten things around somewhat.
Is this going to be Xavier Medina all over again?
A little draft reality. Out of 89 players drafted since 2019 including the import snd U18 drats. Only 17 are still on the current roster. Many are B cards and only 10 have played in more than 15 career games to date. Only 4 have played more than 1 regular season worth of 68 games. None over 2 years. Career games Inc playoffs
ABRAHAM 125 1st round pick
MORNEAU 86 15th round
CRISTOFORO 87 1st round
GREENTREE 82 2nd round
ABRAHAM 125 1st round pick
MORNEAU 86 15th round
CRISTOFORO 87 1st round
GREENTREE 82 2nd round
OHLTG
Registered User
Regarding Toms/Sop - there was no instigator called on the play so maybe the OHL looked at it and overruled the officials? It sucks for Windsor; regardless of how people want to mock Toms joining the team, giving up a 12th rounder for a guy with 100+ games in the league was a decent move. Low risk, potentially solid reward. Maybe we'll see Lavigne called up. Given his draft reputation for liking the rough stuff, this might be his style of game.
Regarding Froggett - a call up, on the road, and thrown into the fire in one of the loudest buildings in the OHL. I give the kid full props for doing as well as he did. There's no question nerves were a part of that experience. There's no word yet on who's playing tonight but, if Costanzo is out, I can see Froggett getting the start.
On paper, this is a playoff team who could be pushing for a top-six spot. While the defence is very raw, the offence and goaltending should be solid enough. Instead, we're seeing the defence so bad that the offence and goaltending can't do their own things and it's costing them.
Regarding Froggett - a call up, on the road, and thrown into the fire in one of the loudest buildings in the OHL. I give the kid full props for doing as well as he did. There's no question nerves were a part of that experience. There's no word yet on who's playing tonight but, if Costanzo is out, I can see Froggett getting the start.
On paper, this is a playoff team who could be pushing for a top-six spot. While the defence is very raw, the offence and goaltending should be solid enough. Instead, we're seeing the defence so bad that the offence and goaltending can't do their own things and it's costing them.
Offense can't hold offensive zone unless it is a PP. They do not come back to truly aid the struggling defense. D zone exits are mostly hail Mary attempts. Goaltending has no confidence. Team as a whole soft as melted butter. Too many running their mouths and not backing it up
Eichler is a loose cannon like Abraham especially after the whistles. Chirp specialists putting big ass X on their backs. Refs tired of it. Opposition tired of the ankle biting flies. 12 or 5 is going to have their heads taken off. I'M all for a sparkplug but the slashing cross checking shoving after the whistles is tiresome.
Eichler is a loose cannon like Abraham especially after the whistles. Chirp specialists putting big ass X on their backs. Refs tired of it. Opposition tired of the ankle biting flies. 12 or 5 is going to have their heads taken off. I'M all for a sparkplug but the slashing cross checking shoving after the whistles is tiresome.
OHLTG
Registered User
I'll agree with Abraham; he's an extreme pest but won't do anything if push came to shove. Eichler, though, I think will go if the situation is reasonable. I like his style of agitation more than Abraham.
Agree Eichler will liklely back it up just want him to utilize it at the right times. Abraham post injury last year has a chip the size of a Mack truck on his shoulder that is not positive every shift it seems.
OHLTG
Registered User
Last weekend, Eichler said one of the biggest differences between the OHL and Europe is the physical play. He loves it but there's likely an adjustment period. That's something the coaches and his teammates need to help him with. "If you want to lay a guy out, awesome, but this slashing and small stuff after the whistle will get called every time."
Abraham is great at being the pest; I don't think a shift goes by where someone isn't mad at him. But, he's not doing it the right way currently. If you can sucker a guy into a two min penalty for shoving you, then capitalize on the PP, great. Right now, it's Abraham chirping, the other guy chirping back, Abraham doing something stupid, Windsor goes on the PK. Players have learned... and Abraham hasn't adjusted.
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