Windsor Spitfires 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 4)
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Greentree huge game.
Put team on his back.
Put team on his back.
Cristoforo I will credit him with a pretty good offensive game. Still think the way he was attacking the front of the net with vigor is why I'd try him at forward. Bring up Manso and let 74 take Zitos spot on forward. Remove his defensive woes and lack of physicality around his own defensive net.
Regarding Zito, he had a problem with Marc Savard of all coaches, and was asked to be traded a few years ago. Not sure what happened in Niagara but he was quickly traded to North Bay. Seems he is picky with his coaches. It sucks, because he is still a great player.
The boys needed that victory. Nothing to get excited about though against a young Petes squad. Great game by Cristoforo, I know he takes a lot of heat but the talent is there. Get the right coach for him next year and I can see him having a huge season next year.
Like what I've seen from Nesbitt recently. I know he only had one point but was involved in a few of the goals and would like to see him centering the 2nd line to see what he can do. Greentree is a beast. He's playing at a pace of 108 points in a 68 game season. Crazy to think what kind of numbers he'll put up next year.
Unfortunately, Niagara lost, so as of now they are last. Gonna be tough to finish behind Niagara.
Another great crowd of 5,000, ownership has to be pleased with the attendance considering the squad is at the bottom of the standings.
The boys needed that victory. Nothing to get excited about though against a young Petes squad. Great game by Cristoforo, I know he takes a lot of heat but the talent is there. Get the right coach for him next year and I can see him having a huge season next year.
Like what I've seen from Nesbitt recently. I know he only had one point but was involved in a few of the goals and would like to see him centering the 2nd line to see what he can do. Greentree is a beast. He's playing at a pace of 108 points in a 68 game season. Crazy to think what kind of numbers he'll put up next year.
Unfortunately, Niagara lost, so as of now they are last. Gonna be tough to finish behind Niagara.
Another great crowd of 5,000, ownership has to be pleased with the attendance considering the squad is at the bottom of the standings.
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I loved Zito as a player, but it seems his heart isn’t in it. I’ve played for a lot of coaches in my year, never near the OHL Level… so it’s safe to assume all my coaches were worse lol. Coming back to hockey, giving it two weeks, when at most you’re playing two and a half months, and then quitting just seems quite bitter. In any profession, you have to learn to work with and for people that aren’t always your best friends. If he was supposed to get a letter coming here, I’m glad he didn’t, because stepping away after a couple shows he didn’t deserve it.
Greentree is insane. Waltons growing on me more and more. Christoforo had a goodnight, but we all want him to be more physical. Davis continues to impress me even when not lighting up the scoresheet, and I feel Spellacy is on the brink of breaking out. His skating is incredible, and I think he’s going to have a year, next year.
Greentree is insane. Waltons growing on me more and more. Christoforo had a goodnight, but we all want him to be more physical. Davis continues to impress me even when not lighting up the scoresheet, and I feel Spellacy is on the brink of breaking out. His skating is incredible, and I think he’s going to have a year, next year.
OHLTG
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A few thoughts...
Goals against...
1. A backdoor pass around Walton. Nothing Donoso could do.
2. Gauvreau with a shot from the point that goes through traffic to beat Donoso.
- This was the game Saginaw should have been. Build the lead, keep the lead, and keep adding to it. The Petes made it 2-1 early in the second and that could have been another "here we go again" for Windsor, but... they got three more to seal it. That's a huge response.
- What more can be said about Greentree? Six points, the hat-trick, and he took the club on his shoulders. Don't look now but he's only seven points back in the OHL scoring race. It's a tight race with seven guys ahead of him. He's already surpassed everything from last season, in 21 fewer games.
- Speaking of Greentree - watching the post-game interviews now and the first thing he does is point to the rest of the team. You have to love that.
- Cristoforo with three assists and a plus-four overall. You can say whatever about hashmarks or him pinching but he's an offensive d-man. I heard someone yell at him tonight for that, but then cheer/praise Woodall for crashing the net. You can't have it both ways. Frankly, I think most of us would take a three-point night from him, even if it meant he got them from the hashmarks. You gotta give credit where due (or maybe not?).
- Donoso was strong in goal. You didn't notice him until he made big saves, but he did what he needed to. That's what they need from him.
- Props to Toure for trying to defend Toms, who got run over pretty good. Toure went after either Melee or Cameron (I forget) and they wanted nothing to do with him. That's what he's here for and I won't argue it.
- All four lines chipped in on the scoresheet and that's how they're going to win games. It can't be just the Greentree show or just the Abraham show or just etc etc etc. Five players didn't record a point. Strangely, Winegard was the only minus on the night.
- I liked Greenwell's game. He hasn't had a ton of ice but he had speed, energy, some physicality, and scored a goal. If he can build on this and keep trending up, I'm intrigued.
- Same goes for Ethan Martin. He's really growing on me; uses his size well, skates nicely for a big guy, and has a decent nose for the net. If you have reasonable expectations about what he brings, he's decent enough.
Saginaw tomorrow. If they play like the five periods in the last two games, they've got a real shot. If they play like the third on Thursday... buckle up.
Goals against...
1. A backdoor pass around Walton. Nothing Donoso could do.
2. Gauvreau with a shot from the point that goes through traffic to beat Donoso.
- This was the game Saginaw should have been. Build the lead, keep the lead, and keep adding to it. The Petes made it 2-1 early in the second and that could have been another "here we go again" for Windsor, but... they got three more to seal it. That's a huge response.
- What more can be said about Greentree? Six points, the hat-trick, and he took the club on his shoulders. Don't look now but he's only seven points back in the OHL scoring race. It's a tight race with seven guys ahead of him. He's already surpassed everything from last season, in 21 fewer games.
- Speaking of Greentree - watching the post-game interviews now and the first thing he does is point to the rest of the team. You have to love that.
- Cristoforo with three assists and a plus-four overall. You can say whatever about hashmarks or him pinching but he's an offensive d-man. I heard someone yell at him tonight for that, but then cheer/praise Woodall for crashing the net. You can't have it both ways. Frankly, I think most of us would take a three-point night from him, even if it meant he got them from the hashmarks. You gotta give credit where due (or maybe not?).
- Donoso was strong in goal. You didn't notice him until he made big saves, but he did what he needed to. That's what they need from him.
- Props to Toure for trying to defend Toms, who got run over pretty good. Toure went after either Melee or Cameron (I forget) and they wanted nothing to do with him. That's what he's here for and I won't argue it.
- All four lines chipped in on the scoresheet and that's how they're going to win games. It can't be just the Greentree show or just the Abraham show or just etc etc etc. Five players didn't record a point. Strangely, Winegard was the only minus on the night.
- I liked Greenwell's game. He hasn't had a ton of ice but he had speed, energy, some physicality, and scored a goal. If he can build on this and keep trending up, I'm intrigued.
- Same goes for Ethan Martin. He's really growing on me; uses his size well, skates nicely for a big guy, and has a decent nose for the net. If you have reasonable expectations about what he brings, he's decent enough.
Saginaw tomorrow. If they play like the five periods in the last two games, they've got a real shot. If they play like the third on Thursday... buckle up.
Wouldn't do it this season because with the Spits out of cards,Manzo can only play 6 or 7 games till the end of our season.
Next season who knows,plus Manzo hasn't played the last couple for La Salle,assuming injury.
ohloutsider
Registered User
I will rubber stamp what most have said about Christoforo. He's a better player on the offensive side of the puck. What I will add it looks like coaching is taking the reins off of him and the other D. They are abysmal at clearing the puck around the boards, why not let them skate it when the opportunity arises? Last night Woodall, Walton, Eichler and Christoforo all had rushes or attempted rushes out of the zone. Looks like this is a coaching change of philosophy. Now it worked fairly well last night but against the top teams it might be costly, but really what do they have to lose at this point and to be honest fans love the end to end rushes.
My only worry at this point for Greentree is he going to pull a Wyatt and head to the pros too early? Enjoy him because he seems to be on the same mission every night much the same as Wyatt was.
Donso had a quiet night but made the saves when he needed to. I was hard on him for Thursday but he did look more focused last night and hopefully with the win now he will be dialed in.
Saginaw today and hopefully they can play 60 minutes of competitive hockey. Will be a tough ask but hay London just lost 2 in a row so never say never!
And lastly Bombers birthday last night. Lots of other teams mascots there including London’s. I wasn't there but for anyone that was there did you hear any booing!?!? That had to be fun. Great sportsmanship for the other teams mascots to come for that event.
My only worry at this point for Greentree is he going to pull a Wyatt and head to the pros too early? Enjoy him because he seems to be on the same mission every night much the same as Wyatt was.
Donso had a quiet night but made the saves when he needed to. I was hard on him for Thursday but he did look more focused last night and hopefully with the win now he will be dialed in.
Saginaw today and hopefully they can play 60 minutes of competitive hockey. Will be a tough ask but hay London just lost 2 in a row so never say never!
And lastly Bombers birthday last night. Lots of other teams mascots there including London’s. I wasn't there but for anyone that was there did you hear any booing!?!? That had to be fun. Great sportsmanship for the other teams mascots to come for that event.
Windsor with a win
Puts them 2nd last now in standings.
Windsor took advantage of the Pete's situation..
Greentree was the leader. Created most of the offence. As he should. Best player on the team.
Defense played ok. When playing their actual position..
Goalie actually made stops.
Windsor actually threw body checks. At least for 1 period they did.
Pretty simple game plan. They need to find consistency and repeat.
So absolutely enjoy while u can.
Puts them 2nd last now in standings.
Windsor took advantage of the Pete's situation..
Greentree was the leader. Created most of the offence. As he should. Best player on the team.
Defense played ok. When playing their actual position..
Goalie actually made stops.
Windsor actually threw body checks. At least for 1 period they did.
Pretty simple game plan. They need to find consistency and repeat.
I can see Greentree be here for 1 more season.
So absolutely enjoy while u can.
Comments re last night's game vs Peterborough very solid team effort from pretty much everyone,13 skaters out of 18 registered at least a point,4 with multiple points games,5D out of 7 had a point,only Winegard and Walton pointless,upfront 8 of 11 had at least a point,only Abraham, Spellacy and Struthers were pointless, good to see Donoso allow only 2 his best game as a Spit and his 1st win.As OHLTG mentioned Winegard the only player who was a minus for the night.
Team certainly didn't miss Zito last night.
Windsor has scored 12 goals in the last 2 games and have allowed only 7,will take that anytime,especially when they scored only 3 in the past 3 games before these 2 games this week.
In fact the shutout loss at Oshawa last Sunday was the 1st shutout against in regular season was the 1st to occur since Jan25/18, that's 225 games.
Windsor wasn't shutout in the 2 regular season games under Savard 136 in total but were shutout in game 2 of last seasons playoff vs Kitchener.
For me I take this season in 3 stages, 1st 21 since coaching change 4-16-1, next 16 before trade deadline 8-5-2-1,and now last 7 since trade deadline 2-5.
Since the coaching change Spits are now 10-10-2-1 in 23 games,although 5 players were moved at tradeline,3F,1D,G and 3 brought in 1G,D,1F, although 1 the forward (Zito), toss in Outwater who was hurt before deadline,done for the season makes 7 gone pretty big turnover.
As for today's game at Saginaw, play like they did the 1st 47 minutes against Saginaw the other night things should be fine,or play like the last 12 or so and it could be a problem.
Go Spits Go.
To make the mascot event exciting they should have raised Duke from the mascot dead.
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ohloutsider
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TheGremlin
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Was good to see the spits take advantage of a team playing 3 in 3.
punch1943
Registered User
You take your points where you can get them. With 24 or so games remaining I’m expecting /hoping we can squeeze out 10 wins. If we aren’t hit with injuries it’s possible. Certainly we didn’t miss Zito last night but certainly we will for the balance of the season. As for todays tilt with Saggy my guess is it’ll be a rough one.
OHLTG
Registered User
This was kind of my point last night. They're all playing a 200 foot game and, if it's working, let them continue to do so. It doesn't make sense to say "stop pinching, Cristoforo!", yet give praise/hope when others do it. They're all in the same boat. It's when *any* of them cost the club goals that you hold back and say "okay, stick to your end." Plus, if Greentree, Zhugin, Smith, or any other forward went behind his own net, we'd say "he's backchecking well tonight!", right?
Let's hope we see Saturday night's Windsor club and not Thursday night's.
ohloutsider
Registered User
OHLTG
Registered User
Windsor needs to realize that (saginaw can draw penalties) and not give the officials anything to call.
OHLTG
Registered User
Smith was called for a high stick and Abraham was called for a hook; what does either one have to do with playing their own position?
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