Windsor Spitfires 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[hockeylegend11]

If there is no Dom Papa, it's crap.

He will be on there doing interviews, plus PBP announcer will be BK.

Not dressed for Windsor, the 4 forwards at NHL camps,plus Woodall, Christoforo, Lavigne, Stewart, Morgan, Windbiel, Newlove.
Starting in goal Froggett
Costanzo the back up.

 

[Cherrydon]

Newlove was already returned to Georgetown so not sure he needs to mentioned as a scratch

 

[ohloutsider]

Newlove was already returned to Georgetown so not sure he needs to mentioned as a scratch

Also Stewart saw maybe 3 shifts on Tuesday so that should be a clue as well.

 

[ohloutsider]

Am I the only one that had lost the YouTube feed?

Am I the only one that has lost the YouTube feed?

 

[spitsfan24]

Am I the only one that had lost the YouTube feed?

No. I just figure there's no coverage during intermission, but who knows.

 

[ohloutsider]

No. I just figure there's no coverage during intermission, but who knows.

Looks like you are correct, lol.

 

[frontsfan67]

Belchetz keeps scoring. Runaway favourite for rookie of the year obviously being the #1 pick. Wonder if he scores 40 goals

My guess is in the 30s

 

[ohloutsider]

Belchetz keeps scoring. Runaway favourite for rookie of the year obviously being the #1 pick. Wonder if he scores 40 goals

My guess is in the 30s

Well don't adjust your set, he has another one.

 

[thespitslurker]

Yeah Im getting more and more impressed by him. Initially I wasnt sure if we should pick Wassilyn at 1 but with the right teammates and lineup this year I think we made a good pick. The players around him will totally help him succeed. Greentree, Davis, Abraham, Spellacy, Protas, etc. Play him with any of those guys and he will excel. Looking good! Go Spits Go!

 

[OHLTG]

A few thoughts from tonight...

- Not a bad crowd overall. There was a lineup right at 5:30 when the doors opened and they slowly/steadily came in. I've read the complex holds 1,000 and I'd guess there were 800-900 in attendance? It was a beautiful rink overall.

The good:

- Belchetz. He makes this game look easy; not from a coast-to-coast, speed-to-burn view but he's aggressive on the forecheck, he uses his linemates, and he'll quickly make his move and it's in the back of the net.
- Nesbitt with another good game. He's not likely to be the 30-goal first-rounder but he's going to give you production and physical play. I'm warming up to him for sure.
- Outwater is another one who's making me take a second look. He seems much more comfortable out there, using his size to create chances.
- Rookie wise, Gaymes was throwing the body around and getting in people's faces. Garden has incredible speed and doesn't give up on the forecheck. Once he adjusts, he's going to be really fun to watch.
- Walton continues to use his size well and it feels like a light-switch has been flicked. He's night-and-day physically, almost looks like he's relishing the idea of being that physical type. I'm curious as to what the difference has been.
- Hicks and Manzo both looked comfortable out there, albeit young.
- Eichler with a couple of bit hits plus got into a scrum with a bigger Colosimo. The kid has no fear and, if he can stay disciplined, I appreciate it.
- Froggett saw 60 minutes and looked very good. I didn't get a great look at the goals from the other end but I'm more confident with him in goal than I am Costanzo, to be honest.

The Not-so-Good:

- Six PPs against can't happen. It felt like they were handing the Firebirds a chance to get back into it.
- My gut says Lemieux is destined for LaSalle. I want to notice him out there, but it's not happening. I'd say the same for Brocklehurst, too (LaSalle wise). He has speed and throws the body but I think a season in Jr B would do him wonders.
- The win was overall bittersweet; up 3-0, tied 3-3, get the 5-3 win. Allowing Flint to come back is not great but it's also a good lesson that you can't let up.


Just thinking out loud here about the cuts to come...

F - Spellacy, Morneau, Abraham, Gaymes, Protas, Belchetz, Greentree, Nesbitt, Davis, Outwater. That's 10. Bubble - Greenwell, Stewart, Lemieux, Morgan, Martin, Garden, Brocklehurst.

Keep... Garden and Martin up, that's 12. Who are your "in case of injury, break glass" guys?

D - Cristoforo, Eichler, Mathurin, Walton, Woodall. That's five. Manzo probably stays up, making it six. Winegard, Lavigne, Hicks, Hjelholt all going for one spot, the rest to Jr. B. I don't know...

G - This one is simpler - it should be Froggett/Windbiel but will Bowler do that?

 

[KyGuy9]

A few thoughts from tonight...

- Not a bad crowd overall. There was a lineup right at 5:30 when the doors opened and they slowly/steadily came in. I've read the complex holds 1,000 and I'd guess there were 800-900 in attendance? It was a beautiful rink overall.

The good:

- Belchetz. He makes this game look easy; not from a coast-to-coast, speed-to-burn view but he's aggressive on the forecheck, he uses his linemates, and he'll quickly make his move and it's in the back of the net.
- Nesbitt with another good game. He's not likely to be the 30-goal first-rounder but he's going to give you production and physical play. I'm warming up to him for sure.
- Outwater is another one who's making me take a second look. He seems much more comfortable out there, using his size to create chances.
- Rookie wise, Gaymes was throwing the body around and getting in people's faces. Garden has incredible speed and doesn't give up on the forecheck. Once he adjusts, he's going to be really fun to watch.
- Walton continues to use his size well and it feels like a light-switch has been flicked. He's night-and-day physically, almost looks like he's relishing the idea of being that physical type. I'm curious as to what the difference has been.
- Hicks and Manzo both looked comfortable out there, albeit young.
- Eichler with a couple of bit hits plus got into a scrum with a bigger Colosimo. The kid has no fear and, if he can stay disciplined, I appreciate it.
- Froggett saw 60 minutes and looked very good. I didn't get a great look at the goals from the other end but I'm more confident with him in goal than I am Costanzo, to be honest.

The Not-so-Good:

- Six PPs against can't happen. It felt like they were handing the Firebirds a chance to get back into it.
- My gut says Lemieux is destined for LaSalle. I want to notice him out there, but it's not happening. I'd say the same for Brocklehurst, too (LaSalle wise). He has speed and throws the body but I think a season in Jr B would do him wonders.
- The win was overall bittersweet; up 3-0, tied 3-3, get the 5-3 win. Allowing Flint to come back is not great but it's also a good lesson that you can't let up.


Just thinking out loud here about the cuts to come...

F - Spellacy, Morneau, Abraham, Gaymes, Protas, Belchetz, Greentree, Nesbitt, Davis, Outwater. That's 10. Bubble - Greenwell, Stewart, Lemieux, Morgan, Martin, Garden, Brocklehurst.

Keep... Garden and Martin up, that's 12. Who are your "in case of injury, break glass" guys?

D - Cristoforo, Eichler, Mathurin, Walton, Woodall. That's five. Manzo probably stays up, making it six. Winegard, Lavigne, Hicks, Hjelholt all going for one spot, the rest to Jr. B. I don't know...

G - This one is simpler - it should be Froggett/Windbiel but will Bowler do that?

Can Lemieux be in Jr. B? I remember reading something about the team's first 2 picks having to be rostered, though I don't know the details of it. Still confused by the 16 year old rule - 3 can play a game, but 4 can be rostered? I figured if Belchetz and Lemieux had to be locks for the roster, Garden likely having a spot promised to sign, that left Hicks and Brocklehurst in Jr. B by default with Windbiel rostered but dressing for minimal games with one of Lemieux/Garden scratched for those games.

 

[northwest]

Yeah Im getting more and more impressed by him. Initially I wasnt sure if we should pick Wassilyn at 1 but with the right teammates and lineup this year I think we made a good pick. The players around him will totally help him succeed. Greentree, Davis, Abraham, Spellacy, Protas, etc. Play him with any of those guys and he will excel. Looking good! Go Spits Go!

Belchetz was definitely the right pick. Wassilyn is good but isn't as much of a play maker. I completely agree that with the right players around Belchetz it's going to help him get even better. It's going to be fun to watch.

 

[northwest]

A few thoughts from tonight...

- Not a bad crowd overall. There was a lineup right at 5:30 when the doors opened and they slowly/steadily came in. I've read the complex holds 1,000 and I'd guess there were 800-900 in attendance? It was a beautiful rink overall.

The good:

- Belchetz. He makes this game look easy; not from a coast-to-coast, speed-to-burn view but he's aggressive on the forecheck, he uses his linemates, and he'll quickly make his move and it's in the back of the net.
- Nesbitt with another good game. He's not likely to be the 30-goal first-rounder but he's going to give you production and physical play. I'm warming up to him for sure.
- Outwater is another one who's making me take a second look. He seems much more comfortable out there, using his size to create chances.
- Rookie wise, Gaymes was throwing the body around and getting in people's faces. Garden has incredible speed and doesn't give up on the forecheck. Once he adjusts, he's going to be really fun to watch.
- Walton continues to use his size well and it feels like a light-switch has been flicked. He's night-and-day physically, almost looks like he's relishing the idea of being that physical type. I'm curious as to what the difference has been.
- Hicks and Manzo both looked comfortable out there, albeit young.
- Eichler with a couple of bit hits plus got into a scrum with a bigger Colosimo. The kid has no fear and, if he can stay disciplined, I appreciate it.
- Froggett saw 60 minutes and looked very good. I didn't get a great look at the goals from the other end but I'm more confident with him in goal than I am Costanzo, to be honest.

The Not-so-Good:

- Six PPs against can't happen. It felt like they were handing the Firebirds a chance to get back into it.
- My gut says Lemieux is destined for LaSalle. I want to notice him out there, but it's not happening. I'd say the same for Brocklehurst, too (LaSalle wise). He has speed and throws the body but I think a season in Jr B would do him wonders.
- The win was overall bittersweet; up 3-0, tied 3-3, get the 5-3 win. Allowing Flint to come back is not great but it's also a good lesson that you can't let up.


Just thinking out loud here about the cuts to come...

F - Spellacy, Morneau, Abraham, Gaymes, Protas, Belchetz, Greentree, Nesbitt, Davis, Outwater. That's 10. Bubble - Greenwell, Stewart, Lemieux, Morgan, Martin, Garden, Brocklehurst.

Keep... Garden and Martin up, that's 12. Who are your "in case of injury, break glass" guys?

D - Cristoforo, Eichler, Mathurin, Walton, Woodall. That's five. Manzo probably stays up, making it six. Winegard, Lavigne, Hicks, Hjelholt all going for one spot, the rest to Jr. B. I don't know...

G - This one is simpler - it should be Froggett/Windbiel but will Bowler do that?

I like your thoughts but I'm not seeing Windbiel there yet. Needs some development and can be inconsistent based on what I saw. He's also a bit clunky at times but he's 16 so he has time on his side.

I was referring to Froggett as the tandem instead of Costanzo. I was not questioning Newlove. Windbiel being here was decided in the summer although he has played well especially in his 2nd game. Newlove played 1/2 a game and was sent to Georgetown so those decisions were already made. Likely to see season start with Froggett and JC along with Windbiel dressing and getting in every 3rd or 4th game. There is a minimum games for Windbiel. 20% which rounds up to 14 games of the 68 that he must play. Dressing on the bench does not count towards the total.

I was checking the OJHL tonight and noticed Newlove has played a few games this season for Georgetown. Thanks for pointing me in that direction.

 

[OHLTG]

Can Lemieux be in Jr. B? I remember reading something about the team's first 2 picks having to be rostered, though I don't know the details of it. Still confused by the 16 year old rule - 3 can play a game, but 4 can be rostered? I figured if Belchetz and Lemieux had to be locks for the roster, Garden likely having a spot promised to sign, that left Hicks and Brocklehurst in Jr. B by default with Windbiel rostered but dressing for minimal games with one of Lemieux/Garden scratched for those games.

Good point, I forgot about Lemieux being the second one. If that's the case, then he's your "break glass" guy?!

I like Windbiel but I do think he's a bit raw. I still think he makes it as the back-up, or at least gets in his minimum games somehow.