Windsor Spitfires 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 3)

[ohloutsider]

Is Peer good defensively; good in his own zone; backchecks?

He plays the same game that LE did. All about breakaways and goals. Great on the PP. He will have his moments but not consistent on the back check.

 

[windsor7]

He plays the same game that LE did. All about breakaways and goals. Great on the PP. He will have his moments but not consistent on the back check.

Rarely back checks.

 

[Cherrydon]

Just a heads up that HFBOARDS system no longer likes Hotmail email accounts to log in with. I am only speaking of my personal experience recently and spoke with a system specialist. If you are having issues like unable to reply or hit like etc. Log in and change your email address on your account to a Gmail or other email provider other than a Hotmail.

 

[ohloutsider]

Don't think you will see any "healthy" scratches tonight except the usual group. Now saying that Bowler has been known to make some last minute moves lol.

 

[OHLTG]

Just a heads up that HFBOARDS system no longer likes Hotmail email accounts to log in with. I am only speaking of my personal experience recently and spoke with a system specialist. If you are having issues like unable to reply or hit like etc. Log in and change your email address on your account to a Gmail or other email provider other than a Hotmail.

That explains a lot. Since training camp, I've had issues on various devices where I couldn't login here or there. Appreciate the heads up!

 

[Cherrydon]

That explains a lot. Since training camp, I've had issues on various devices where I couldn't login here or there. Appreciate the heads up!

I thought maybe I was being scolded for something I was nit aware of and decided to get to the bottom of it lol.

 

[OHLTG]

I thought maybe I was being scolded for something I was nit aware of and decided to get to the bottom of it lol.

I thought it was a glitch. I think it was day two of training camp, I distinctly remember telling someone that I couldn't get onto here from my phone. A few days later, presto, no issues, but my laptop then had the same issue. It's been random all season.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

That explains a lot. Since training camp, I've had issues on various devices where I couldn't login here or there. Appreciate the heads up!

I’ve had mobile log in issues with yahoo.

 

[Cherrydon]

I’ve had mobile log in issues with yahoo.

Since I went to my Gmail account, it has been stellar. I first tried setting it to my wife's Hotmail account and same thing. Notta.

 

[OHLTG]

Costanzo in goal. Same normal scratches. Winegard out, Toms in.

 

[windsor7]

Costanzo in goal. Same normal scratches. Winegard out, Toms in.

Nothing shocking there
Why would it change..

 

[SpitfireHabs1]

Weird having this Wednesday night game but excited to have a game to watch tonight. Two tough defeats last week. Multiple blown leads but atleast still seen some fight and snarl from players and picked up points, its alot better showings than we were seeing about 4-5 weeks ago.

Goaltending could be a bit Sharper forsure and would be nice to see a little more hockey IQ and hussle from certain players. Lots of passengers forsure on this team, But been nice to see guys like Abraham/Malliet/Davis/Woodall/Christoforo all step it up a notch and offer support for Greentree and Peer who have been the guys offensively carrying this team. With a few guys playing better it only increases trade value.

Hope to watch a good game tonight. 200 foot game, physicality, and reliable goaltending all needed against a solid Flint team, always a tought matchup!

Go Spitfires!!

 

[DetSpitsFan]

Surprised they didn't review Offsides on that Morneau Goal and surprised Abraham didn't get a call leaving his feet and targeting Kayden Pitre right in the dome. I guess we may be due for a couple call our way, but that Abraham hit was dirty, can't believe that result in a PP Goal.

 

[ohloutsider]

First - fast
Second - flat

 

[windsor7]

Surprised they didn't review Offsides on that Morneau Goal and surprised Abraham didn't get a call leaving his feet and targeting Kayden Pitre right in the dome. I guess we may be due for a couple call our way, but that Abraham hit was dirty, can't believe that result in a PP Goal.

Windsor got a break?
Guess that happens seldom lol

 

[OHLTG]

Before I jump into anything else, congrats to Conor Walton for his first in the OHL. That was one happy kid!

 

[OHLTG]

Thoughts on tonight...

Goals against:

1. PPG one-timer on the glove side that went 5-hole. Mancini tried to block but missed.
2. Dann has the puck on a 2-on-1, waits, waits, and beats Costanzo low glove. I think Costanzo wants that one back but it was a pretty nice goal.
3. Point shot bounces off a forward right to Aspinall near blocker-side faceoff dot. He has Mancini on him, so he turns, fires it high blocker, and it's tied. That's a solid shot.

- The last two games, the Spitfires have had leads evaporate and wound up losing. To go from 3-1 to 3-3 to 5-3 win... that's important, especially against the team in 8th.
- Congrats to Walton for his first OHL goal. He was thrilled and, while I don't expect a ton of offence from him, the "throw a knuckler at the net and see what happens" approach can work.
- Costanzo was solid all night. He'd probably like at least one goal back but you could see his confidence in the crease. Sometimes, you gotta relax and just play hockey and he's doing that now.
- Abraham hits Kaden Pitre and Coulson comes in for the fight. Not much of a fight; handful of punches and Pitre tackles Abraham. I get why they went, though. You have to do that if you're Pitre.
- I don't think anyone really played poorly tonight. First line to the fourth, and all three pairs, seemed to be on their game. There were mistakes, which is always going to happen, but they found a way. From Davis to Martin to Greentree to Peer up front, Cristoforo to Mancini and Walton on the backend, they all were pretty solid.
- Sometimes, you have to give credit to the opposition, too. They capitalized when they had a chance; not much the Windsor D could have done.
- The officiating was decent. I only saw a few times where players were genuinely confused to why they were being called haha ... as I said pre-game, "a good officiated game is one where you forget you have officials."

Last home game before the deadline. There's plenty of chit-chat out there but that's normal for this time of year. It'll be interesting to see how much happens when they're on the road. I'm looking to take in both games (weather permitting) so will have to keep my ears/eyes out.

 

[ohloutsider]

Nice win. Was worried for the the last 2 periods but they hung in there.

Abraham hit. Surprised he can get that high but looked like a check to the head by me. I guess the hockey gods are paying the Spits back on the missed call on the Christoforo hit.

Costanzo has looked much better as of late. A steady performance from a goalie can go a long way to giving the lads up front some confidence they can win. I think he can be better but for now we will take the improvement.

Toms/Winegard- not sure who gets the nod here but Tom's has more experience and to be fair looked OK last night, except 1 bad giveaway. Do you stick with him or develop Winegard? I'm hopinging an 08 pushes them both out next year.

Walton scoring the game winner was fun. Quite the interview.

Greentree on the empty netter had plenty of time to shoot himself but chose to pass it off to Maillet to score. That is something a captain of a team would do, just sayin'.

Making the playoffs is within reach. Now is that what the GM really wants? Picking 4th or 5th is likely not a big deal but having a shot at 1st or 2nd is. Either way I would prefer them to be competitive every night and still get a high pick. Greedy much is what fans do so I guess that is what I want. Stay safe.

 

[windsor7]

Windsor squeeked out a win.
66, 16 and 12 were going all game offensively.
86 provided a couple physical hits.
Greentree is clearly the captain of this team. Yet no letter on his jersey.
Windsor 1st 10 minutes of 1st were good. Then sat back most of game.
Better coaching needed.
Windsor outshot again. Opponent was physical with Windsor and thst doesn't go well.
Defense was very soft.
#12 hit was high. Lucky no 5 minutes for it.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Nice win. Was worried for the the last 2 periods but they hung in there.

Abraham hit. Surprised he can get that high but looked like a check to the head by me. I guess the hockey gods are paying the Spits back on the missed call on the Christoforo hit.

Costanzo has looked much better as of late. A steady performance from a goalie can go a long way to giving the lads up front some confidence they can win. I think he can be better but for now we will take the improvement.

Toms/Winegard- not sure who gets the nod here but Tom's has more experience and to be fair looked OK last night, except 1 bad giveaway. Do you stick with him or develop Winegard? I'm hopinging an 08 pushes them both out next year.

Walton scoring the game winner was fun. Quite the interview.

Greentree on the empty netter had plenty of time to shoot himself but chose to pass it off to Maillet to score. That is something a captain of a team would do, just sayin'.

Making the playoffs is within reach. Now is that what the GM really wants? Picking 4th or 5th is likely not a big deal but having a shot at 1st or 2nd is. Either way I would prefer them to be competitive every night and still get a high pick. Greedy much is what fans do so I guess that is what I want. Stay safe.

Being greedy is fine but there's no guarantee of 4th or 5th either. Maybe the franchise would be happy with 2 home playoff games. You can't complain if it delays the rebuild another year or two. Be greedy but you can't have it both ways.

 

[ohloutsider]

Being greedy is fine but there's no guarantee of 4th or 5th either. Maybe the franchise would be happy with 2 home playoff games. You can't complain if it delays the rebuild another year or two. Be greedy but you can't have it both ways.

Yes I know I don't get it both ways but picking anywhere this year in the top 5 is not going to have any impact on a rebuild.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

The fact Abraham hit head and left his feet to do it, I was thinking suspension… Instead we got a powerplay goal out of it.
If Flint wants to argue that, I get it. I’m all for big hits and a physical game, but that was an intentional dangerous hit.

Costanzo has looked far superior lately to his Pre-Christmas performance. While the one game we saw out of Michelone, I kind of had an “uh-oh” feeling where he reminded me more of the version I wasn’t so impressed with in Flint. Very small sample, he’ll get a game this weekend.

I roll Winegard (05) over Toms (06). Ultimately, yeah, I’d love a younger D man out there next year. An 08 would be great, but anything 06-08, I’d take.

With our current 05 Crop (Winegard, Outwater, Eichler/Import, Costanzo, Martin) I only see Joey as an OA. Winegard isn’t a game changer, but his size is appealing. I don’t hate Toms, but as an 04? Meh. He’s not a key part of future success and I doubt more ice time raises his trade value much from what we spent. I see Winegard earning a spot next year over Toms as an OA.

Things could be shaken up, but looking at Christoforo, Woodall, Walton, Eichler as a D core next year I don’t hate. Room to add an 04’ OA to push one of the above 4 into the bottom pairing.

Christoforo isn’t horrible. He’s in year 2 of a potential 5. Offensive minded and undersized. He adapted to the league well early. I’m not sure his ceiling, he has room to grow, and I think he will. I’m just a bit afraid we all over estimated his potential based on a good first year, when he was working with a more talented group where he could play a bit more risky and it wouldn’t come back and bite us.

The thing I like about these 4 staying is they all bring different things. Christoforo Offensive Defensemen, Woodall good vision/playmaker, Walton more of a stay at home D man, and Eichler bringing some physicality.

I think this board just hates offensive D men. Turnovers and odd man rushes will happen with this style of player, regardless of who it is. I’d take Christoforo over Henault personally.

 

[windsor7]

The fact Abraham hit head and left his feet to do it, I was thinking suspension… Instead we got a powerplay goal out of it.
If Flint wants to argue that, I get it. I’m all for big hits and a physical game, but that was an intentional dangerous hit.

Costanzo has looked far superior lately to his Pre-Christmas performance. While the one game we saw out of Michelone, I kind of had an “uh-oh” feeling where he reminded me more of the version I wasn’t so impressed with in Flint. Very small sample, he’ll get a game this weekend.

I roll Winegard (05) over Toms (06). Ultimately, yeah, I’d love a younger D man out there next year. An 08 would be great, but anything 06-08, I’d take.

With our current 05 Crop (Winegard, Outwater, Eichler/Import, Costanzo, Martin) I only see Joey as an OA. Winegard isn’t a game changer, but his size is appealing. I don’t hate Toms, but as an 04? Meh. He’s not a key part of future success and I doubt more ice time raises his trade value much from what we spent. I see Winegard earning a spot next year over Toms as an OA.

Things could be shaken up, but looking at Christoforo, Woodall, Walton, Eichler as a D core next year I don’t hate. Room to add an 04’ OA to push one of the above 4 into the bottom pairing.

Christoforo isn’t horrible. He’s in year 2 of a potential 5. Offensive minded and undersized. He adapted to the league well early. I’m not sure his ceiling, he has room to grow, and I think he will. I’m just a bit afraid we all over estimated his potential based on a good first year, when he was working with a more talented group where he could play a bit more risky and it wouldn’t come back and bite us.

The thing I like about these 4 staying is they all bring different things. Christoforo Offensive Defensemen, Woodall good vision/playmaker, Walton more of a stay at home D man, and Eichler bringing some physicality.

I think this board just hates offensive D men. Turnovers and odd man rushes will happen with this style of player, regardless of who it is. I’d take Christoforo over Henault personally.

Being better defensively in your own zone.
Actually being physical
Not screening your own goalie.
Pushing guys away from front of net he lacks a lot.
Offensively he helps the team.

 

[OHLTG]

Christoforo isn’t horrible. He’s in year 2 of a potential 5. Offensive minded and undersized. He adapted to the league well early. I’m not sure his ceiling, he has room to grow, and I think he will. I’m just a bit afraid we all over estimated his potential based on a good first year, when he was working with a more talented group where he could play a bit more risky and it wouldn’t come back and bite us.

One thing I can't help but think about with him... every time we draft a smaller defenceman with offensive potential, we expect him to be like Ryan Ellis, who could also hit very well. Bateman was a bust. Auger was a bust. Cristoforo is solid offensively, needs some work defensively, but is more of a defensive position guy than a Ellis-style "hit them so they know you're there" guy. Not every d-man is going to ram you into the boards; people don't like that. "HIT HIM!!" That's not how the game always works. However, he's learning, is only 17, and has plenty of room to grow. It probably doesn't help that Greentree has exploded in every part of his game as we tend to compare players from the same draft. Cristoforo's going to take time to develop. If he's still like this by age 19, then I'd scratch my head. Until then, man, he's still a kid...

 

[windsor7]

One thing I can't help but think about with him... every time we draft a smaller defenceman with offensive potential, we expect him to be like Ryan Ellis, who could also hit very well. Bateman was a bust. Auger was a bust. Cristoforo is solid offensively, needs some work defensively, but is more of a defensive position guy than a Ellis-style "hit them so they know you're there" guy. Not every d-man is going to ram you into the boards; people don't like that. "HIT HIM!!" That's not how the game always works. However, he's learning, is only 17, and has plenty of room to grow. It probably doesn't help that Greentree has exploded in every part of his game as we tend to compare players from the same draft. Cristoforo's going to take time to develop. If he's still like this by age 19, then I'd scratch my head. Until then, man, he's still a kid...

Don't agree.