Windsor Spitfires 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)
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There were for sure a couple of questionable calls/non calls
and Sarnia overall benefitted from this
but at the end of the day your leading defenceman Dionicio
played poorly
way too many turn overs from trying to be too fancy or just making a bad pass
this guy needs too clean that up
as for todays game
will probably need 6 goals to win
as expecting a high scoring game
or will need Joey to stand on his head
as we’re playing the number 1 offensive team in the league
and Sarnia overall benefitted from this
but at the end of the day your leading defenceman Dionicio
played poorly
way too many turn overs from trying to be too fancy or just making a bad pass
this guy needs too clean that up
as for todays game
will probably need 6 goals to win
as expecting a high scoring game
or will need Joey to stand on his head
as we’re playing the number 1 offensive team in the league
ohloutsider
Registered User
Cute but not there yet.
Have to think the pressure is on for Smith and Delmore. Team D is really the big issue for the Spits.
Have to assume the vets have lost interest knowing they might be moving on by the trade deadline.
IMHO this may not be the year to move your OA's. With most going for low picks it might be beneficial to just keep them and try to keep the ship above the water line. See what I did there!
Today would be a nice win but not really expecting that. So a win today would go swimmingly. Sticking with the water theme!
There is not 1 Spitfire on the plus side yet. I realize that it is early.There are some deserving of some praise considering we are 1-3. Surprises are Woodall and Struthers both at zero, played in all 4 games. Walton is -1 3 games. Morneau zero 3 games played. Stewart & Martin zero, 2 games played each. Those players mentioned are statistically holding their own on the defensive side of the game. From there it gets bleak quickly.
5 games in a row with 4+ goals against to start the season. I wonder when that streak will end.
It looked bad as he was turning his skates to stop when the puck rebounded to his feet but did not appear intentional. Joey's save percentage getting murdered but their goals have been almost unstoppable. Ughhhhh
SpitfireHabs1
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Thru 2 periods its been a Good offensive game. And horrible Defensive game. Yes Shots are in the Spitfires favour but the 2 on 1's and high quality chances for the Soo are killing us, easy to throw rocks at Costanzo which we did need to stop 1 or 2 of these goals so far but play a 200 Foot game and pay attention. May be out skilled in this game but the spits look out smarted and willed out there.
That was forgettable. With the exception of a couple players do they know the meaning of work ethic? The first 10 minutes were good but otherwise not a winning performance. Facing a team playing 4th game in 6 days you just need to be better. The vets are really letting this team down to an extent. I think Bowler overrated some of these guys though. This is a real bad mix of players with a rookie head coach.
Even when we trade we will need roster players from other teams and not just picks. We will need decent OHL caliber players in return. Our drafted players although many signed, many are fillers at best for only a depleted roster situation. The worst thing is our "best" players other than Greentree are not performing at a high trade level. Woodall finally the 1st spitfire to be a plus this year. He's playing well. Abraham -6 and Cristoforo-5 really disappointing so far. Team still taking too many stupid undisciplined penalties.
It's a rebuilding season, that's the price of those 1st place teams these last few years and going all in last year. The fans will not be patient for a rebuild considering they were humiliated with a 1st round sweep last year. But this is the nature of the OHL. The team is rebuilding. AT least they are rebuilding with a solid young core led by Greentree and Cristoforo. Spellacy has been quiet though. Compared to Sarnia who traded their 06's last year.
Depending on how many trades Bowler makes, this team could be battling for the last playoff spot or straight out miss the playoffs. If he gets an offer he can't refuse for Abraham/ Dionicio for example he will make the deal. Getting Christopoulis back will help the scoring, but him or Maillet will likely be traded at some point. If they lost all 3 games this weekend, the plummet for Wassilyn (project #1 OHL pick) will officially be on.
It's a long season they could also improve as the season progresses. I think Guelph was 1-9 after 10 games last year and improved.
Depending on how many trades Bowler makes, this team could be battling for the last playoff spot or straight out miss the playoffs. If he gets an offer he can't refuse for Abraham/ Dionicio for example he will make the deal. Getting Christopoulis back will help the scoring, but him or Maillet will likely be traded at some point. If they lost all 3 games this weekend, the plummet for Wassilyn (project #1 OHL pick) will officially be on.
It's a long season they could also improve as the season progresses. I think Guelph was 1-9 after 10 games last year and improved.
ohloutsider
Registered User
I liked the play of Greentree, best player for them right now .
Also liked Walton and Eichler. Seem to be adjusting.
Having said that did not see Walton in the third? Am I blind or was he hurt/benched?
The rest just seemed lost. I'm already getting concerned that coaching isn't what it should be.
Is it ok to be concerned yet?
To add to this Soo looks like a force this year. Tables have turned for both these teams.
Also liked Walton and Eichler. Seem to be adjusting.
Having said that did not see Walton in the third? Am I blind or was he hurt/benched?
The rest just seemed lost. I'm already getting concerned that coaching isn't what it should be.
Is it ok to be concerned yet?
To add to this Soo looks like a force this year. Tables have turned for both these teams.
OHLTG
Registered User
A few thoughts...
- When you outshoot a team that badly, at least early on, I expect a win. Some props have to be given to the Hounds for pressing on the gas when the chance was there and shutting the door, otherwise.
- I think the biggest issues started with the Cloutier goal (3rd goal). When it's 2-1 and you're out playing them, having a goal scored like that (off the skates) is tough. Costanzo was angry at it.
- Then, having a buzzer-beater just added to the frustration.
- I feel for Costanzo in this. You see 5GA on 19 shots and think "he must have played horribly." He wasn't the issue by any stretch. Defensive lapses, a really solid PP from the Hounds, and just overall Grade A chances.
- The scrum in the third... it wasn't as bad as Saturday night, thankfully. Neither team was innocent and, fortunately, no suspensions will come from it. I liked how the Spits stood up for each other, though.
I don't know what the answers are. This wasn't necessarily a lack of D because they held them to 19 shots. You do that and you're going to win nine times out of 10. The Hounds just had some huge Grade A chances and did an impressive job in capitalizing. Combine that with the Spits lack of ability to solve Schenkel and... this is the result.
Windsor has to find a way. I'm perplexed. They have issues; everyone can see it and they know things need to change. How to do that beyond practice? I don't know. Maybe Bowler starts the rebuild earlier than expected? Does he bring in a veteran D to help? So many questions, so few answers.
- When you outshoot a team that badly, at least early on, I expect a win. Some props have to be given to the Hounds for pressing on the gas when the chance was there and shutting the door, otherwise.
- I think the biggest issues started with the Cloutier goal (3rd goal). When it's 2-1 and you're out playing them, having a goal scored like that (off the skates) is tough. Costanzo was angry at it.
- Then, having a buzzer-beater just added to the frustration.
- I feel for Costanzo in this. You see 5GA on 19 shots and think "he must have played horribly." He wasn't the issue by any stretch. Defensive lapses, a really solid PP from the Hounds, and just overall Grade A chances.
- The scrum in the third... it wasn't as bad as Saturday night, thankfully. Neither team was innocent and, fortunately, no suspensions will come from it. I liked how the Spits stood up for each other, though.
I don't know what the answers are. This wasn't necessarily a lack of D because they held them to 19 shots. You do that and you're going to win nine times out of 10. The Hounds just had some huge Grade A chances and did an impressive job in capitalizing. Combine that with the Spits lack of ability to solve Schenkel and... this is the result.
Windsor has to find a way. I'm perplexed. They have issues; everyone can see it and they know things need to change. How to do that beyond practice? I don't know. Maybe Bowler starts the rebuild earlier than expected? Does he bring in a veteran D to help? So many questions, so few answers.
Teflon
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- Jan 6, 2018
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It is a D problem. I was there today. Giving up grade A chances that directly lead to goals is an issue. Guys still arent physical enough, they dont watch the backdoor in front of the net at all and they collapse to tight! In the O zone they were way to cute, shoot the puck and get traffic in front. Still very few willing to get into the slot. Cristo is feeling the sophomore jinx. Lack of energy all around and a sense of them thinking about what to do rather than knowing it. Im disappointed!
Bowler started the rebuild a while ago,after trading the veteran d-men Sobolev, Holmes and De'Angelis for 10 draft picks and Walton.
OHLTG
Registered User
Sobolev/Holmes weren't sticking around, regardless. They have to deal enough OAs to get to their limit. The DeA deal was "reshuffling", as Bowler put it. If they get below 3 OAs and start dealing current 04s, then it's rebuilding.
So this idea of rebuilding?? We alright with being the worst team, losing the lottery and getting the 4th pick??? There's no guarantee of getting the #1 pick now which should disincentivize the whole idea of rebuilding. I mean if you draft great you're still only getting a guy for 4 years. If he's better than great you get him 3 years possibly.
I'm a Greyhounds fan that was at the game today. I see a lot of hating on the vets, but on the bright side, I thought that Jacob Maillet was fantastic. That's the best I've seem him play.
I agree with OHLTG that Costanzo wasn't as bad as it seems. They Greyhounds had a lot of prime chances in those 19 shots and there was definitely some puck luck.
I thought the Spits biggest issue was goal scoring skill. They had good speed, competed hard defensively, and caused a lot of turnovers. It just seemed that where the Greyhounds got by that last defender or potted chances in tight, the Windsor forwards were turning the puck over, missing the net, or settling for outside shots. I was sitting on the edge of my seat dreading a prime scoring chance on several occasions and they rarely came to fruition.
I agree with OHLTG that Costanzo wasn't as bad as it seems. They Greyhounds had a lot of prime chances in those 19 shots and there was definitely some puck luck.
I thought the Spits biggest issue was goal scoring skill. They had good speed, competed hard defensively, and caused a lot of turnovers. It just seemed that where the Greyhounds got by that last defender or potted chances in tight, the Windsor forwards were turning the puck over, missing the net, or settling for outside shots. I was sitting on the edge of my seat dreading a prime scoring chance on several occasions and they rarely came to fruition.
It's probably not far off. Of course they haven't scored more than 4 goals in a game this year. It seems they turn down great opportunities to make an extra pass and it's not needed. As for Costanzo I would agree to an extent but he still has to be better if this is what their offense is going to be.
The DeAngelis deal is clearly a sign they are rebuilding. They've already recouped decent amount of picks. Just need a 3rd this year and a 2nd next year.
OHLTG
Registered User
I don't disagree that a rebuild is needed, just going on what Bowler said that it's not a "rebuild" but a "reshuffling." That's why I wondered if the rebuild, officially, would start earlier than expected.
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