Windsor Spitfires 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 2)

[Cherrydon]

Much different team with the support damm nice game, best game obviously all year for the Spits. COSTANZO solid when called upon.

 

[scokan]

wow. that was different

 

[ohloutsider]

I'm impressed. Other than parts of the 2nd they played hard. Nice to get it going the other way.

 

[OHLTG]

They were having fun offensively, shooting at everything, and structured defensively. Costanzo made the saves he had to and looked comfortable. Likely their best game of the season and a huge confidence boost. Let's hope it continues for the rest of the weekend.

 

[Cherrydon]

Greentree +3 and only 1 assist. That is a great 2 way game for him. Not every night is an offensive great night as he was watched closely by the Petes but the kind of game that Scouts will plug positively. Maillet was the player we expected this year Colton Smith-solid-no complaints that is only a slice tonight of things done right.

 

[OHLTG]

I'm trying to figure out WHY. What changed? Was it Smith/Delmore? Was it Torres implementing new ideas? Was it the systems already in place and they actually did them? Was it an "oh $h!t" moment when they realized they have to figure this out? You love to see this type of game and response but I'd love to know what was the switch that got flicked?

 

[windsor7]

I'm trying to figure out WHY. What changed? Was it Smith/Delmore? Was it Torres implementing new ideas? Was it the systems already in place and they actually did them? Was it an "oh $h!t" moment when they realized they have to figure this out? You love to see this type of game and response but I'd love to know what was the switch that got flicked?

Shiny new coach.
Win usually follows at beginning

 

[DetSpitsFan]

I'm trying to figure out WHY. What changed? Was it Smith/Delmore? Was it Torres implementing new ideas? Was it the systems already in place and they actually did them? Was it an "oh $h!t" moment when they realized they have to figure this out? You love to see this type of game and response but I'd love to know what was the switch that got flicked?

Possible Smith lost the room early/never had it.

Got elevated into the position and maybe guys just didn’t respect that higher level of authority he had? Who knows. We likely never will. But we just beat the Top Team in the Eastern Conference.

I’m not overly optimistic about this season, but that was one way to go out there and try to prove the right decision was made.

I saw Torres, didn’t catch a glimpse of bowler behind the bench tho

 

[Section5Petes]

Looks like i was REALLY right about tonight’s game…

 

[OHLTG]

Possible Smith lost the room early/never had it.

Got elevated into the position and maybe guys just didn’t respect that higher level of authority he had? Who knows. We likely never will. But we just beat the Top Team in the Eastern Conference.

I’m not overly optimistic about this season, but that was one way to go out there and try to prove the right decision was made.

I saw Torres, didn’t catch a glimpse of bowler behind the bench tho

It took a while for them to even show the bench. Bowler made it on camera a few times during the game when they talked about the coaching changes.

 

[spits]

A solid and needed win. should improve the confidence but It's only one win though. The squad played with outstanding structure, not sure if it was input from the new coach or just a desperate game but looked a lot better. I would keep that first line of Greentree Maillet and Outwater going, they were very good. Cole Davis with a beauty shorthanded goal, beating one of the best d-men in the league to the puck and made a great play on the Zhugin goal. Continues to lead all rookies in scoring, on pace for 30 goals.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

I'm trying to figure out WHY. What changed? Was it Smith/Delmore? Was it Torres implementing new ideas? Was it the systems already in place and they actually did them? Was it an "oh $h!t" moment when they realized they have to figure this out? You love to see this type of game and response but I'd love to know what was the switch that got flicked?

You're trying too hard. Numerous teams perk up after a coach is fired. It's not about the 1st game it's about the games that follow. Usually it's due to players feeling fault for what happened. You will know more when the break comes.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

Davis is starting to produce the way I expected Abraham to this year. Kids good. I’m excited to see his progress, but despite his size he’s willing to lay hits, get into dirty areas and good things happen.

Abraham buzzed for the first period and then disappeared.

Smith was more noticeable than normal, but my optimism on him has shipped.

Maillet’s two goals were big. He’s been much lower than expectations. I expect him to be cooler without Maggio, but not like this.

Peer seems to have an unbelievable amount of no puck luck. Yeah, he’s a bit on the softer side but his speed and hands have gotten him so many chances and he just can’t bury it. Have to imagine it’s in his head at this point. His effort has been consistent.

On the D side? Mancini is much more what we needed than Dionicio, and the young group looked … dare I say, steady, calm, and strong tonight.

We didn’t get the best Pete’s team, but they weren’t playing awful either.

Gets our points into the double digit column and a bit of heat off Bowler

 

[DetSpitsFan]

One thing that’s been weird lately is the lack of a captain. Maybe I didn’t pay as close attention when I followed Plymouth but it seems like every year we’re at Thanksgiving and no one is wearing the C.

This years been weird, but it’s been constant.

I’d toss it on Greentree. Visibly an emotional player, with leadership capabilities on the ice along with incredible skill. May even get some extra eyes on him in his draft year. Glad he’s here because up to this point, he’s been the only exciting thing worth watching

 

[frontsfan67]

how are you guys liking Owen Outwater?

 

[OHLTG]

You're trying too hard. Numerous teams perk up after a coach is fired. It's not about the 1st game it's about the games that follow. Usually it's due to players feeling fault for what happened. You will know more when the break comes.

It's not trying too hard so much as curiosity. When you go from a devastating 8-game losing streak to an effort like tonight, there will naturally be questions. We'll see the true team as the road trip progresses but I don't think any of the questions are off the table right now.

One thing that’s been weird lately is the lack of a captain. Maybe I didn’t pay as close attention when I followed Plymouth but it seems like every year we’re at Thanksgiving and no one is wearing the C.

I know multiple teams have shown interest in Peer and, from my observations, nobody has really stepped up and said "I'm the captain!" I might have given it to Christopoulos but even that wasn't a guarantee. I'd be okay if they waited until the deadline or maybe not even name one. For instance, Mancini wore an A tonight. So far, we've seen Peer, Maillet, Mancini, Greentree, Abraham all throw it on. Is this Peers team? Maillets team? Greentrees team? I don't know.

 

[frontsfan67]

It's not trying too hard so much as curiosity. When you go from a devastating 8-game losing streak to an effort like tonight, there will naturally be questions. We'll see the true team as the road trip progresses but I don't think any of the questions are off the table right now.


I know multiple teams have shown interest in Peer and, from my observations, nobody has really stepped up and said "I'm the captain!" I might have given it to Christopoulos but even that wasn't a guarantee. I'd be okay if they waited until the deadline or maybe not even name one. For instance, Mancini wore an A tonight. So far, we've seen Peer, Maillet, Mancini, Greentree, Abraham all throw it on. Is this Peers team? Maillets team? Greentrees team? I don't know.

If there isn’t a clear cut favourite you might just have 4 A’s or 6 A’s (3 home, 3 away)

 

[OHLTG]

how are you guys liking Owen Outwater?

I like his enthusiasm and he seems to have a solid shot but I want to watch him more to get a better opinion.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Davis is starting to produce the way I expected Abraham to this year. Kids good. I’m excited to see his progress, but despite his size he’s willing to lay hits, get into dirty areas and good things happen.

Abraham buzzed for the first period and then disappeared.

Smith was more noticeable than normal, but my optimism on him has shipped.

Maillet’s two goals were big. He’s been much lower than expectations. I expect him to be cooler without Maggio, but not like this.

Peer seems to have an unbelievable amount of no puck luck. Yeah, he’s a bit on the softer side but his speed and hands have gotten him so many chances and he just can’t bury it. Have to imagine it’s in his head at this point. His effort has been consistent.

On the D side? Mancini is much more what we needed than Dionicio, and the young group looked … dare I say, steady, calm, and strong tonight.

We didn’t get the best Pete’s team, but they weren’t playing awful either.

Gets our points into the double digit column and a bit of heat off Bowler

Agree with pretty much that you wrote about,Costanzo 's 1st road win of the season,teams 2nd,and along with the heartbreaking loss at the Soo with 6 seconds left his best performance on the road by far.
The 3 new players ,Outwater, Zhugin and Mancini all had their best games as Spits,especially Outwater and Mancini, makes a difference that all 3 finally had a practice with the team before playing,best game of the season by Maillet and he andcwe needed it,Cole Davis continues to blossom with1G,1A,great 4th round selection, the team as a whole played very committed road game can't really think of any passengers on this night.
Nice to see Christoforo pick up the game ending puck after the buzzer pretty sure was going to be presented to Torres for his 1st win of the season.
Let's build on this one,a game at a time,all areas solid,team showed they can play with the league leaders,last night at Peterborough and the game at home vs Kitchener, the 3rd period there not withstanding.
For tonight's game I would still go with Costanzo in goal,build off an outstanding team effort,only lineup change I would make would be Struthers in for Martin on the 4th line otherwise keep things the same.
I know Toms is able to return but after the way the D played last night no changes are neccessary and Castle not interested in putting him in either, both will have to wait.
Finally team showed they want to play for the new coach that was obvious needs to continue tonight and onward.
Now if we can get Abraham going,he is pointless in his last 5,and Peer scoring on his opps things will get much better.
Go Spits Go.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

Agree with pretty much that you wrote about,Costanzo 's 1st road win of the season,teams 2nd,and along with the heartbreaking loss at the Soo with 6 seconds left his best performance on the road by far.
The 3 new players ,Outwater, Zhugin and Mancini all had their best games as Spits,especially Outwater and Mancini, makes a difference that all 3 finally had a practice with the team before playing,best game of the season by Maillet and he andcwe needed it,Cole Davis continues to blossom with1G,1A,great 4th round selection, the team as a whole played very committed road game can't really think of any passengers on this night.
Nice to see Christoforo pick up the game ending puck after the buzzer pretty sure was going to be presented to Torres for his 1st win of the season.
Let's build on this one,a game at a time,all areas solid,team showed they can play with the league leaders,last night at Peterborough and the game at home vs Kitchener, the 3rd period there not withstanding.
For tonight's game I would still go with Costanzo in goal,build off an outstanding team effort,only lineup change I would make would be Struthers in for Martin on the 4th line otherwise keep things the same.
I know Toms is able to return but after the way the D played last night no changes are neccessary and Castle not interested in putting him in either, both will have to wait.
Finally team showed they want to play for the new coach that was obvious needs to continue tonight and onward.
Now if we can get Abraham going,he is pointless in his last 5,and Peer scoring on his opps things will get much better.
Go Spits Go.

As a Wolves fan I’m very happy for your team (boys), they put in a complete effort to beat a great Pete’s team. More so, I’m happy for your fan base. Keep the good times rolling! Best of luck.

 

[windsor7]

Agree with pretty much that you wrote about,Costanzo 's 1st road win of the season,teams 2nd,and along with the heartbreaking loss at the Soo with 6 seconds left his best performance on the road by far.
The 3 new players ,Outwater, Zhugin and Mancini all had their best games as Spits,especially Outwater and Mancini, makes a difference that all 3 finally had a practice with the team before playing,best game of the season by Maillet and he andcwe needed it,Cole Davis continues to blossom with1G,1A,great 4th round selection, the team as a whole played very committed road game can't really think of any passengers on this night.
Nice to see Christoforo pick up the game ending puck after the buzzer pretty sure was going to be presented to Torres for his 1st win of the season.
Let's build on this one,a game at a time,all areas solid,team showed they can play with the league leaders,last night at Peterborough and the game at home vs Kitchener, the 3rd period there not withstanding.
For tonight's game I would still go with Costanzo in goal,build off an outstanding team effort,only lineup change I would make would be Struthers in for Martin on the 4th line otherwise keep things the same.
I know Toms is able to return but after the way the D played last night no changes are neccessary and Castle not interested in putting him in either, both will have to wait.
Finally team showed they want to play for the new coach that was obvious needs to continue tonight and onward.
Now if we can get Abraham going,he is pointless in his last 5,and Peer scoring on his opps things will get much better.
Go Spits Go.

A win and a post...

 

[LDN]

Who else is Windsor looking to move?

 

[punch1943]

Who else is Windsor looking to move?

No one that the Branch Davidians would want.

 

[ohloutsider]

Most of this covered but my thoughts.
Really like what I'm seeing from Davis and Woodall. Both have made the leap in a big way to an OHL player. I can see both getting a nod in the draft.

Costanzo looked steady last night but to be honest not really challenged much either. He did need that for confidence so glad to see.

Woodall and Walton returning helped balance the D. They were able to slot Eichler farther down and that helped him and the results.

I'd wait a few more weeks but I'm voting for Mancini as captain. He looks like the steady influence this team needs. I mentioned a few weeks back this team needs a steady OA D to settle the kids down and they have found him.

Outwater looked very engaged last night. Fronts fans said he was not tough on the puck but he seemed to be digging hard in the corners last night. Hopefully he keeps that up. Mr Smith with his best game, need that from him every game.

What was different last night was the players new they were partially to blame and they stepped up plus some small changes that Abraham mentioned in his interview. They were told to shoot the puck from anywhere and often. This is a trademark of London and other top teams. No bad shots on net. They had nearly 50 shots. Far better than 5 or 6 a period. They need to keep the intensity up and keep shooting!

Tonight will be important in was this a one and done game or has the tide turned? I'm hoping for the latter.

 

[Teflon]

Wow! One game does not indicate much but… to me it speaks volumes about what the players needed fixed. My knowledge of the 3 coaches that left varies but 2 of them im confident in saying they didnt fit here in those positions. Im not sure what the future holds but i hope for all involved it gets fixed fast. The guys looked engaged and eager to play last night, those are controlled emotions that can be turned on and off. Lets just hope the “noise” dies down and the right coach gets hired!
Well done boys! Lets see more of that.