Windsor Spitfires 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[ohloutsider]

Costanzo wasn't the big issue. He did make a lot of great saves. He was left to hang and the quality chances were lopsided for London. Letting guys coast through our D I'm sure Joey probably felt wtf.

It was a lot of both. Easy access to the net and just not enough saves.

 

[Cherrydon]

My biggest knock on 74 is his feet standing still in our zone with little attempt to challenge the passer or shooter. Same in O zone he pauses just briefly deciding to pinch or not pinch and it bites him. Timing is just off a little. Again tonight he drops down sliding by the crease before pass is made on a that 2-1. I just don't see improvement in his game this year (so far) He has been pressed into big minutes in tough situations and clearly not comfortable. Like the kid hopefully he works it out. Draft year pressure probably extreme starting the year ranked high first round.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

Look at the last 8 goals on the stat sheet… 7-1 London. About how I expected it to go. The fact we put up 7, I’ll take it.

We’re a 10th Place team. We’ve only gotten through the first round once since 2011… and I don’t think we’ll even see a round this year.

Any positives, I’ll take. Powerplay was good. Greentree was good. Chasing Simpson out was a surprise. At 2-0 I thought we were done for.

Maybe I’m becoming a bandwagon fan. I’ll watch most the games at home this year. Hard to justify a $20 ticket, $15 at the border, and a couple hours of driving to always play teams higher in the standings.

Castle, Martin, Morneau the only forwards without a point tonight

 

[I Loveallsports]

Keeping an eye on A.C. - 4 tonight. Warranted?

 

[dirty12]

Didn’t we just rob Niagara like 4 times in the last 12 months? One of which included moving O Flaherty?

Welll maybe the castle trade didn’t rob them, but at the time it had potential lol

Niagara received more for Zito than paid, so no robbery there.
Sobelev for 4, 8? That’s alright for both.
Can’t really expect more for Donicio than a 2nd pick, Ride who is looking like he will be a pretty good 19-20 yr old D I think, and dumping the gold education of Castle imo.
Costanzo for a 4th seemed right at the time, looked great for Windsor last season, but playoffs, pre-season, 2023-24 so far …. seems Niagara made the right decision

 

[three dog night]

Defence took the day off

 

[spits]

Allowing a 10 spot. This defense is unacceptable and embarrassing. That 5 minute major ended up costing them the game. 2 of the last 3 games were lost primarily to a dumb 5 min major. Just a disastrous season. I think that's the 5th major penalty they've had already.

This team might end up being worse than Niagara was last year. On pace to allow 405 GOALS !!!!!, about 55 more than Niagara allowed. That's unacceptable and embarrassing. Half of our defense is basically Jr. B players. Cristoforo has been poor defensively but it's hard to judge considering he's on such a bad defense. I definitely expected more from him though. Cole Davis seems to be getting better each game.

I am starting to jump on the fire BB bandwagon. This man stated in that interview around the start of the season the team was going to be competitive. Here are his words: "We have a lot of talent at every position and we have a great mix of veterans and first and second-year players too. We have size, speed and skill throughout our lineup and we have a lot of depth so when the turnover in our roster happens every season it is not as drastic as it could be. I have been saving it for awhile now that we want to be competitive every season instead of loading up for just one season. We like the makeup of our team and we just have to wait and get everyone healthy and back into our lineup and see how things play out from there."

LMAO. Talk about misleading your fans.

This is going to end up being the worst team in Spitfires history. Might as well trade any players of value ASAP before risking injury. Greentree is an elite talent, 21 points in 13 games, that's a pace of 100 points in his draft year. He'll be back next year but, something tells me there is a decent chance Greentree doesn't come back for his 19-year old season. Might as well start exploring trade options ? I dunno. The team is only going to get worse as vets out traded. Do they win 15 games? My guess is no.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

So maybe they were destined to lose but let's not understate the bone headed match penalty by Martin. Up 6-4 maybe they only have to kill the minor penalty instead of the 5 minute major. Obviously turned the game around. It's time Smith sent a message Martin is getting suspended. Eichler is now getting off a suspension and Nesbitt served one earlier. There needs to be more accountability. There's no structure on D, goaltending hasn't been good they have also been hung out to dry. The D isn't changing, you have 5 or 6 forwards that provide nothing. So what is Bowler going to do? You can say scoring 7 goals is fun but this isn't entertaining hockey.

Defence took the day off

Season off not the day.

 

[OHLTG]

Some thoughts...

First, the goals against...

Goal 1 - Cristoforo goes to play the puck in the corner. The puck bounces over his stick, he collides with the nearby Knights' player, and the other LK guy near him takes the puck and has a clear shot at the net. It's hard to tell whether that's a bad bounce, not hard enough on the puck, or both.
2 - Spits trying to clear. Struthers knocks it into the corner (for some reason). The Knights get it first, backhand pass to a guy out front, high glove on Costanzo.
3 - Pass from the boards to the FO dot blocker side. Pass to side of net, back to FO, and one-timer high glove. No D touches the player and easy access.
4 - Maillet misses the check at the Wsr blueline, allowing the Knights to get around and to the net. Manzo has to cover two guys and they bury it. Walton was the other Dman out there and was well behind the play.
5 - Zone coverage, keeping the LK outside of the faceoff circles. However, when the puck comes blocker side, Dionicio (the coverage) is 3/4 towards the net. He's not blocking that.
6 - LK player at the top of the crease, untouched. Dionicio and Cristoforo are there but stick checking at best.
7 - Gazizov starts inside his own zone, goes through Toms/Walton, to the net untouched, out-waits Costanzo, and buried.
8 - Winegard goes to clear, but it goes right to the LK player. He skates in, Winegard goes to block but shot happens Another LK at the side is wiiiiide open, buries rebound with ease.
9 - Pass to the Windsor blueline... LK player skates in to the top of the slot, untouched, and wires it off the post and in.
10 - EN

- Not a great start going down 2-0 but it's the Knights... that's more than possible.
- I'm more impressed with the Spitfires' ability to shrug that off and grab the 3-2 lead. For a younger team, that takes a little something extra.
- It's not very often that a game has a clear-cut "TSN Turning Point", but that major to Martin was it. Toms gets the initial trip, then McCue comes in and bumps someone (Winegard or Toms?). Martin comes in and decks him with a cross-check and McC goes to the ice. That brings everyone in with the Winegard/George tilt. I get that Martin wants to defend a teammate; throw the gloves off and fight. Don't do stupid cross-checks. Now they're down 5-on-3 for no reason.
- Just before the 5-on-3 started, a buddy told me "good luck, Joey." Bang on. Costanzo deserved better. Three PPGs and then six of seven, in total, and it's... ugly.
- The one thing I noticed on the long PK - they look to do zone coverage at four corners, which is where Dionicio and Cristoforo were. However, it allows a Knights' player to skate right into Costanzo, who had to deal with him, too.
- I like Cristoforo's offensive game and his steady style. However... a crease-clearer isn't his style and I'm not sure the PK is the place for him. Call him soft if it makes you feel better but I'd rather see him on the PP where he shows his true value.
- Was tonight the first time that Greentree had an "A" on his jersey? I don't remember seeing it, though I've said for a while that he should be considered for it.
- This team needs one major thing, player-wise... an 04 or 05 stay-at-home D who's physical and nasty. Toms is solid as a veteran but doesn't play that style. Walton plays that style but is inexperienced. DeAngelis would have been good but... yeah. Dionicio has a mean streak but doesn't clear the net as much as would be ideal. I'd even be ok with dealing Maillet for an 03, if it comes down to it.
- Offensively, it was fantastic. Greentree had four points, Abraham had three, Peer/Dionicio had three each, Struthers, Spellacy, and Davis all got involved... there aren't any complaints there. However, if you score 7, you better win... and they didn't.
- Full credit to London for their game. They took advantage of opportunities with zero regret.
- I know people are going to say "fire Smith. Fire Bowler. Fire everyone!!!", but I'm not sure that's the answer right now. What IS the answer? I don't know.


- On another note - the Remembrance Day ceremony was well done.

All they can do now is get back to the video work on Friday, fix what they know they should, and get ready for a home-and-home with Saginaw.

 

[spits]

Some thoughts...

First, the goals against...

Goal 1 - Cristoforo goes to play the puck in the corner. The puck bounces over his stick, he collides with the nearby Knights' player, and the other LK guy near him takes the puck and has a clear shot at the net. It's hard to tell whether that's a bad bounce, not hard enough on the puck, or both.
2 - Spits trying to clear. Struthers knocks it into the corner (for some reason). The Knights get it first, backhand pass to a guy out front, high glove on Costanzo.
3 - Pass from the boards to the FO dot blocker side. Pass to side of net, back to FO, and one-timer high glove. No D touches the player and easy access.
4 - Maillet misses the check at the Wsr blueline, allowing the Knights to get around and to the net. Manzo has to cover two guys and they bury it. Walton was the other Dman out there and was well behind the play.
5 - Zone coverage, keeping the LK outside of the faceoff circles. However, when the puck comes blocker side, Dionicio (the coverage) is 3/4 towards the net. He's not blocking that.
6 - LK player at the top of the crease, untouched. Dionicio and Cristoforo are there but stick checking at best.
7 - Gazizov starts inside his own zone, goes through Toms/Walton, to the net untouched, out-waits Costanzo, and buried.
8 - Winegard goes to clear, but it goes right to the LK player. He skates in, Winegard goes to block but shot happens Another LK at the side is wiiiiide open, buries rebound with ease.
9 - Pass to the Windsor blueline... LK player skates in to the top of the slot, untouched, and wires it off the post and in.
10 - EN

- Not a great start going down 2-0 but it's the Knights... that's more than possible.
- I'm more impressed with the Spitfires' ability to shrug that off and grab the 3-2 lead. For a younger team, that takes a little something extra.
- It's not very often that a game has a clear-cut "TSN Turning Point", but that major to Martin was it. Toms gets the initial trip, then McCue comes in and bumps someone (Winegard or Toms?). Martin comes in and decks him with a cross-check and McC goes to the ice. That brings everyone in with the Winegard/George tilt. I get that Martin wants to defend a teammate; throw the gloves off and fight. Don't do stupid cross-checks. Now they're down 5-on-3 for no reason.
- Just before the 5-on-3 started, a buddy told me "good luck, Joey." Bang on. Costanzo deserved better. Three PPGs and then six of seven, in total, and it's... ugly.
- The one thing I noticed on the long PK - they look to do zone coverage at four corners, which is where Dionicio and Cristoforo were. However, it allows a Knights' player to skate right into Costanzo, who had to deal with him, too.
- I like Cristoforo's offensive game and his steady style. However... a crease-clearer isn't his style and I'm not sure the PK is the place for him. Call him soft if it makes you feel better but I'd rather see him on the PP where he shows his true value.
- Was tonight the first time that Greentree had an "A" on his jersey? I don't remember seeing it, though I've said for a while that he should be considered for it.
- This team needs one major thing, player-wise... an 04 or 05 stay-at-home D who's physical and nasty. Toms is solid as a veteran but doesn't play that style. Walton plays that style but is inexperienced. DeAngelis would have been good but... yeah. Dionicio has a mean streak but doesn't clear the net as much as would be ideal. I'd even be ok with dealing Maillet for an 03, if it comes down to it.
- Offensively, it was fantastic. Greentree had four points, Abraham had three, Peer/Dionicio had three each, Struthers, Spellacy, and Davis all got involved... there aren't any complaints there. However, if you score 7, you better win... and they didn't.
- Full credit to London for their game. They took advantage of opportunities with zero regret.
- I know people are going to say "fire Smith. Fire Bowler. Fire everyone!!!", but I'm not sure that's the answer right now. What IS the answer? I don't know.


- On another note - the Remembrance Day ceremony was well done.

All they can do now is get back to the video work on Friday, fix what they know they should, and get ready for a home-and-home with Saginaw.

You want Bowler to trade an OA for an OA? This season is over, if you're trading an OA it should be for a younger player or picks. Team is going to finish last in the OHL by a mile.

 

[OHLTG]

You want Bowler to trade an OA for an OA? This season is over, if you're trading an OA it should be for a younger player or picks. Team is going to finish last in the OHL by a mile.

You just traded an 04 for an 06 and picks. You have Winegard/Eichler/Woodall/Walton for the future. Right now? Dionicio/Cristoforo/Toms are your biggest "veterans" and I use that term loosely with Cristo given he's just 17.

Note - I didn't say I WANTED Bowler to trade Maillet for an 03. I said I'd be okay with it, "if it came down to it." I haven't even looked at rosters to see who's *maybe* an option. But, the point was more "if it's there, I wouldn't be against it."

 

[windsor7]

My biggest knock on 74 is his feet standing still in our zone with little attempt to challenge the passer or shooter. Same in O zone he pauses just briefly deciding to pinch or not pinch and it bites him. Timing is just off a little. Again tonight he drops down sliding by the crease before pass is made on a that 2-1. I just don't see improvement in his game this year (so far) He has been pressed into big minutes in tough situations and clearly not comfortable. Like the kid hopefully he works it out. Draft year pressure probably extreme starting the year ranked high first round.

Doesn't throw any hits.
Doesn't go in corners.
Avoid everyone
Defensive zone almost non existant most nites.

 

[Ward Cornell]

This is why London is always good. They somehow get opposing GM's to heavily overpay. They got more than Niagara did for the LeBlancs, more than Peterborough for Lockhart (i know he's an OA). and more than Sudbury did for Chromiak.

Getting 2 3rd's, 4th, and O'Flaherty for Brody Crane who has 0 goals and two points this season is just crazy. What could Windsor get for Abraham then? Crane is 19 year old and averaged 0.4 PPG in his OHL career. Abraham is .8 PPG in his OHL career. Might be time to get on the phone if these are the going rates for 19 year olds. Return for Dionicio would be solid.

I can see posters on other team's boards that are not happy with this London Niagara stuff either. It's just insane how London appears to robbing Niagara. People are not happy.

Basically it's just Mark Hunter's scouting ability. He goes out and scouts the other OHL GMs to find the one with the lowest IQ and will strike deals with them.

 

[bobber]

Basically it's just Mark Hunter's scouting ability. He goes out and scouts the other OHL GMs to find the one with the lowest IQ and will strike deals with them.

Mark has a picture of PT Barnum hanging in his office with the quote" There is sucker born everyday". Even the Rangers got hooked in the jaw by him a couple of times.

 

[windsor7]

Defence took the day off

Was never there

 

[ohloutsider]

Well I've seen bad hockey before but that was a new level. I don't think either team is going away proud of that performance.

There are so many things wrong with the Spits right now that there is really no sure fired way to fix this.

I'm beginning to think BB will have to dismiss JS to save face. It is obvious he has lost the room. And again the D has never, never been good under this D coach. Why is he still here?

All of this sounds radical this early in the season but you can't do nothing! Something has to be fixed here. On paper they have great offensive players and average goaltending. Should be enough to be middle of the pack.

I'm hearing rumblings of players wanting out and some possible moves. This team might actually get worse! Good luck trying to keep a fan base. Owners better be asking lots of questions.

Going to be out of town starting Sunday until the following Sunday. Sad part is not even concerned how many games I will miss.

I sure the H hope something changes and soon!

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

You want Bowler to trade an OA for an OA? This season is over, if you're trading an OA it should be for a younger player or picks. Team is going to finish last in the OHL by a mile.

At this point in the season, you’ll need to take an OA back to get better draft picks…IMO

 

[oldPeng]

Doesn't throw any hits.
Doesn't go in corners.
Avoid everyone
Defensive zone almost non existant most nites.

I am truly supersized that Hunter did not MAKE the referee's add #74 as an assist on at LEAST three of the Knight goals! what a pathetic showing!

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Well I've seen bad hockey before but that was a new level. I don't think either team is going away proud of that performance.

There are so many things wrong with the Spits right now that there is really no sure fired way to fix this.

I'm beginning to think BB will have to dismiss JS to save face. It is obvious he has lost the room. And again the D has never, never been good under this D coach. Why is he still here?

All of this sounds radical this early in the season but you can't do nothing! Something has to be fixed here. On paper they have great offensive players and average goaltending. Should be enough to be middle of the pack.

I'm hearing rumblings of players wanting out and some possible moves. This team might actually get worse! Good luck trying to keep a fan base. Owners better be asking lots of questions.

Going to be out of town starting Sunday until the following Sunday. Sad part is not even concerned how many games I will miss.

I sure the H hope something changes and soon!

That 2nd goal sums up the Spits. 4 rookies on the ice for the Knights except for Dickinson. Boulton gets his 2nd career goal because Struthers just watched him go to the net.

Agreed there are so many things wrong with the team and you can start anywhere and not be wrong.

I am not even sure Bowler necessarily has the power to fire Smith. Smith has been with the organization much longer than Bowler has. If he wants to rid himself of Smith I can see Bowler most likely packing his bags as well. When you don't put on a real coaching search this is what you get. The terrible part is that you only have 30 cards to use in a year. They have already used 23 cards and only have 7 left. If you wanted to find a younger goalie to try and develop through this mess that leaves with 6. Your most valuable players are your OAs and Dionicio. Unlikely you get valuable players in return for your OAs. You could get an 04/05 player for Dionicio but you may also need to take an import in return. This isn't good hockey but there's a chance that it gets worse before it gets better just based on the situation. The 04's currently aren't playing well, the 05 group is lacking. The 06s are fine. You have 1 07 getting regular time you may get another with Manzo but it's low on numbers and who knows about next year. You may have to find some real good 04s to provide leadership next year because you're not getting it from this current group.

As for Delmore I like the guy, I am not sure he will be able to see this through. With that being said he's not being given much to work with in the least. Cristoforo is the most talented but is flawed. Walton hasn't played well, Winegard turns 19 in 2 months he's bucked the odds of making the OHL as an 11th rounder but that doesn't mean he's part of some future. Eichler doesn't have enough talent. Yes maybe Delmore should do a better job but the forwards don't give 2 hoots about back checking. They would rather cheat the game and fly the zone to get an easy chance instead of making the much smarter play. Have fun with your week away.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

4th coach fired this year

 

[Cherrydon]

Dropping like flies. Managers thinking their teams are more talented than the results. With Smith, I wonder if the more buddy buddy relationship one has usually woth the players as an associate coach is now effecting the respect from the returning players now with Smith is the head coach? Honestly defense talent is so bad it is hard to make chicken soup out of chicken s--t. Outside of Dionicio, I think Woodall can easily be as good as Cristoforo for offense and defends better. There is only so much room for offensive D on a team. 74 much more highlighted role this year and 10 pts after 16 games is slightly worse current pace than what he did as a rookie last year. Not every 1st rounder becomes a star especially when size is a limiting factor. Abraham is another example. Greentree 2nd rounder making the waves.

 

[spits]

Well I've seen bad hockey before but that was a new level. I don't think either team is going away proud of that performance.

There are so many things wrong with the Spits right now that there is really no sure fired way to fix this.

I'm beginning to think BB will have to dismiss JS to save face. It is obvious he has lost the room. And again the D has never, never been good under this D coach. Why is he still here?

All of this sounds radical this early in the season but you can't do nothing! Something has to be fixed here. On paper they have great offensive players and average goaltending. Should be enough to be middle of the pack.

I'm hearing rumblings of players wanting out and some possible moves. This team might actually get worse! Good luck trying to keep a fan base. Owners better be asking lots of questions.

Going to be out of town starting Sunday until the following Sunday. Sad part is not even concerned how many games I will miss.

I sure the H hope something changes and soon!

This is what happens when a team is this bad. Players want out and it creates a mess. The problem here is, what if it's one of the better young players who wants out? If it's the veterans who want out, that's ok. Hopefully these trades can be made ASAP and the room will be a bit more relaxed. Like I said last night, on pace to allow about 400 goals this season, completely unacceptable, especially to a solid fan base that is still attending these games. Like you said, good luck getting season holders to commit next year.

 

[OHLTG]

I'm hearing rumblings of players wanting out and some possible moves. This team might actually get worse! Good luck trying to keep a fan base. Owners better be asking lots of questions.

I haven't heard any names but, if I was to guess, Castle/Smith are close. I like both of their potentials but some nights you wonder if they were even dressed.

The impression I got from the post-games last night was "well, back to the drawing board." Smith was frustrated but the players seemed more "we just gotta work through it" than angry.

 

[windsor7]

Bowler phone on?...

 

[spits]

I haven't heard any names but, if I was to guess, Castle/Smith are close. I like both of their potentials but some nights you wonder if they were even dressed.

The impression I got from the post-games last night was "well, back to the drawing board." Smith was frustrated but the players seemed more "we just gotta work through it" than angry.

Unfortunately, the trade value for Smith or Castle is low. Maybe a 5th round pick or something.