Windsor Spitfires 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 2)

[OHLTG]

Michelone starts tonight.

Martin is in. No Castle/Struthers.

 

[Cherrydon]

Taylor Hall was a 2nd overall, great success there,Erie took Ryan O'Reilly 1st overall,major reason Hall refused to go there if drafted by them.

I didn't go that far back. Yes Hall was a gem. Akim notta lol

 

[Cherrydon]

A big name coach that might be available soon is DJ Smith. The Senators are last in their division.

DJ would need to be fired and then want to regress back to the OHL with the same ownership. Can't see it. Although Colson played well last year when his Dad was in the stands during the break. Might as well add Babcock to the list lol.

 

[punch1943]

DJ would need to be fired and then want to regress back to the OHL with the same ownership. Can't see it. Although Colson played well last year when his Dad was in the stands during the break. Might as well add Babcock to the list lol.

D.J. …No way Jose. If he gets fired he’ll take the time off with pay.

 

[tomschman]

DJ would need to be fired and then want to regress back to the OHL with the same ownership. Can't see it. Although Colson played well last year when his Dad was in the stands during the break. Might as well add Babcock to the list lol.

I can't see either. The only way I see a coach with NHL HC taking a job in the OHL is as Owner/Coach.

 

[Cherrydon]

I can't see either. The only way I see a coach with NHL HC taking a job in the OHL is as Owner/Coach.

Agreed

 

[RayzorIsDull]

D.J. …No way Jose. If he gets fired he’ll take the time off with pay.

If Ottawa falters he will only get paid this year. The following year is a club option.

 

[TheGremlin]

So Delmore and Leighton resign and all of a sudden there is defensive structure and much improved goaltending. Seem Smith wasn’t the only issue and those 2 did the team a favour and resigned.

 

[Cherrydon]

Great game boys!!@

 

[windsor7]

So Delmore and Leighton resign and all of a sudden there is defensive structure and much improved goaltending. Seem Smith wasn’t the only issue and those 2 did the team a favour and resigned.

They all were horrible hires by Bowler.

 

[OHLTG]

So, a few thoughts...

- Honestly, I didn't know what to expect coming in. They showed well on the road but would coming home mean pressure? Cautiously optimistic.
- Defensively, they locked it down. Barrie had a few good chances but Torres has them playing the KISS method, which is what appears to be needed. They don't panic, they don't over-think it, they just play and trust each other. I don't think anyone played poorly. There were turnovers but even those were recovered pretty quickly.
- Offensively, they were creative but, like last week, Barrie kept them to the outside a fair bit. Fortunately, they found four ways. Even the much-jeered Cristoforo got a goal. I don't care if he doesn't hit anyone or doesn't get involved in the rough stuff; give me a goal or a point here and there and play sound D, I'm content.
- I noted during the game that even guys like Smith and Martin were really moving out there. "I didn't know Colton could skate that fast." He didn't put up any points but... small positives?
- Giving up a SHG on a 2-on-0 with 30s left stung... and I felt bad for Michelone... but props to Barrie for trying it.
- First OHL goal for Woodall; a shot from the point through some traffic and it beats West. That's nine points in 17 games for the kid. Not bad for a 10th rd pick D.
- I believe it was Smith who took a clearing shot to the face/neck area and immediately went off? Haven't heard any updates but hopefully it's nothing serious.

This is going to be a process. They're not magically going to dominate every team overnight. However, four wins in six games can't be ignored, nor can the way they've been winning. They've allowed 16 goals in 6 games since the changes. There have been changes and the players are buying in to what Torres and Bowler are teaching. Baby steps forward are better than sliding backwards.

 

[spits]

Another solid win, 30 seconds away from a second consecutive shut out. Really goes to show had bad the coaching was before the changes, my goodness. These players appear to be buying into what the coaching is selling. If they had this system and coaching from the beginning of the season they would be in a playoff spot.

Zhugin is solid, gonna be a challenging decision if he stays next year. Eichler is improving every game and is continue to deliver big hits, so it's not an easy decision on the imports next season. I am expecting them to attract a big name in the Import draft this year. I believe this will be their one of the highest Import picks they've ever had.

Oshawa is struggling, so that's another winnable game on Saturday.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

So Delmore and Leighton resign and all of a sudden there is defensive structure and much improved goaltending. Seem Smith wasn’t the only issue and those 2 did the team a favour and resigned.

I was thinking the same thing. Our goalies numbers have surged since we haven't had a goalie coach lol.

Either Bowler is proving that he made the right call firing Smith or he's proving that he belongs behind the bench.
Smith had 4 Wins in 21 Games
Torres has 4 Wins in 6 Games

I wonder how much of a decision Bowler had at the start of the year. You want to reward guys for sticking with an organization for as long as Smith did, but for whatever reason, the head coach thing really didn't work out for him here and that is becoming more and more evident that it wasn't the cards that he was dealt that was the issue.

I feel for Michelone, rough way to end it, and he seemed a lot more positive in the postgame interview than I would've been. Not an awful play, bouncing puck that your 16 year old rookie loses on a PowerPlay. End of the day it's 2 points.

Smith was the one that got plunked, didn't notice him back in the game, hope he's okay. I wonder if everything just comes down to conditioning or if limited minutes fires him up. He's much more noticeable and appears more engaged when on the 4th line. When he's out there on the 2nd & 3rd, he seems disinterested, slow and often behind the play.

One thing I have to note tonight is Abraham. He was buzzing and looked dialed in. Announcing crew noted Abraham and Colton were both 10 games pointless going into this one. Michelone had gone 130 minutes without allowing a goal until the end of this one.

Yeah, we're a bit out of the playoffs still… but these guys are going to mess up our draft pick, I know it.

Will be curious to see what happens around the league too. We've got one-two pieces we could move, but the Jodoin release and "early" Saginaw trade situated our OA & Import spots. I hope something happens, but wouldn't be shocked if we stay put. Curious to see if any of the 5-8 seeds give up hope and sell off more. I just wanted to watch competitive hockey again and we're getting it.

 

[Teflon]

Truly impressed last night and very happy!! Team is exactly where i thought they should be now. Shows how bad the coaching was and that yes he’d lost the room! Tough lesson to learn for sure. Much more structure all around, players look enthused and ready to play. Really like some of the set plays they’re using. D is much improved! Feel bad for Mich, bad bounces happen but not in that spot at that time. Chalk it up to learning i guess. Best game ive seen all season too.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Truly impressed last night and very happy!! Team is exactly where i thought they should be now. Shows how bad the coaching was and that yes he’d lost the room! Tough lesson to learn for sure. Much more structure all around, players look enthused and ready to play. Really like some of the set plays they’re using. D is much improved! Feel bad for Mich, bad bounces happen but not in that spot at that time. Chalk it up to learning i guess. Best game ive seen all season too.

Agree with most of what u have written, particularly structure,attention to detail,defense improved,and that's with 4 rookie D,plus 17 year old Christoforo with 1 year experience prior to this,excellent goaltending by both especially Michelone, who has allowed 4 goals in last 3 starts,1.34 goals against and save per centage of .933 unbelievable, most don't know he worked with Torres last summer re skills learning.
Team wise and yes only 6 games,though 5 were on the road to boot,PP in this stretch 5 for 19,26.3% effiency, PK is 17/18 same time period a whopping 93.3 effiency talk about turnaround.
Winning breeds confidence and definitely is starting to show, impressive too Greentree doesn't register a point in the last 2 games,and they win.
Players and coaches are certainly on the same page,yes there are some players who need to see some improvement offensively and I think that occur for most,it's team play that is strikingly better of late, and that wins games.

 

[ohloutsider]

Nice win. 2nd period was beyond solid. Spent 15 minutes in Barries end.

Interview with Michelone was very telling. He mentioned that Torres had tried hard to simplify their game structure. They had moved them to man on man in the D zone and that was clearly working as players were liking that and buying in.
A good Coach recognizes a teams skill set and develops a game plan around that skill set. That is what we are seeing. I was not all that confident in Torres but I'm willing to give this more time now that I see some structure starting to evolve.

Still don't think they will make the playoffs, just too deep of a hole to do that. Erie is the target and they won last night so Spits did not gain any ground. It's very hard because you have to win when they win just to stay even and then win when they lose to gain ground. Odds tend to be against you but it is sports.

A lot depends on what Bowler does. Will he still trade some assets or is he done? I'm OK with trading some of the older guys. Nothing wrong with letting them go to a contender and have 1 last shot at winning a championship.

The ultimate goal for me is trade for good draft picks and seat themselves for a high 1st round pick. Along the way competitive hockey like we've seen.

Another winnable game Saturday. But I'm sure Oshawa is thinking the same thing. At least now there is optimism.

 

[OHL 17]

It is soooooo much better going to the games and watching a well structured team, that competes!!!!!!!

 

[windsor7]

Windsor with a good win.
They played hard n was tough to play against last nite.
Offense got lots of shots n went to the net often
Most of defense players played well. Kept the Barrie plays on the outside. Even threw hits.
Keep the momentum going.

 

[Knownothing]

Nice game. Improved D structure is telling. Disgusted by the late turnover to end the shutout streak. Didn’t need a goal and with 30 seconds left, puck should go deep. Nesbit turns it over regularly, he’s 16 and learning. He should not have been on the ice in that situation. Coaching misstep.

 

[tomschman]

I think Torres should be allowed to coach the team for the rest of the year. For whatever reason, the team is playing much better since he became coach. Any potential coaching candidate that is available now will probably be available after the season, plus a lot more candidates will be available at that time. I also think that another change will disrupt the progress that has been made. I also wonder who is really coaching the team. It is a very unusual situation to have your boss as your assistant.


Torres can produce 1 of 2 results for the rest of the year. Depending on your point of view, either can be good or bad.

1. The team misses the playoffs. Rarely viewed as something good but does insure a top 4 draft choice plus a top 12 draft choice in the Import draft.

2. Team makes the playoffs. Probably losses in the First Round. However, might have the opportunity to deliver payback to Kitchener. The downside is they slide downward in the drafts.

 

[Cherrydon]

Well a top 4 is nice but the product we saw the first 21 games was not worth a lottery pick watching that playing competitive hockey now with a lottery pick. That's fine. There is more selling that will occur so making the playoffs is highly unlikely but possible. The kids are not playing to lose now so I support their efforts gaining traction.

 

[spits]

At this point, the organization is better to miss the playoffs to get the higher picks but it's hard to watch games hoping they lose. I still prefer to have meaningful games the rest of the season and make the playoffs.

 

[HockeyPops]

You could win half of your remaining games and be competitive every game and still end up with a lottery pick. That would be a great result all around, no?

 

[ohloutsider]

You could win half of your remaining games and be competitive every game and still end up with a lottery pick. That would be a great result all around, no?

You could likely win between 60% and 70% of your games and still likely end up in the lottery. Spits looking a long way up at this point.

It is almost more about other teams going on a losing streak if they are to have any chance.
Depending on other teams to lose is not usually a successful way to get in the playoffs.

Spits are far better off landing in the lottery at this point.

 

[Cherrydon]

Even 60 % we make the playoffs. That equates to 66 points total for the season. Over the last 5 seasons that nets you 11-15th overall. We are only 6 points from being out of the lottery altogether. And remember the lottery is weighted 20th overall 40% 19th 30% 18th 20% 17th 10% chance of first overall. Also non'playoff teams pick before playoff teams so squeaking in good cost another drop in the order if east teams have more points but not get in. Ottawa also has a compensatory pick 24 draft. Not sure if there are any other compensatory picks this year. Of course 6th pick last time for the Spits was Johnston and 4th was Miedema. So great players will be available either way if they draft the right guy like a Johnston.