Windsor Spitfires 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[windsor7]

When you see the Spits centers behind our net as much as our defenseman you know team defense is a focus this year.

Nice to see Joey getting his confidence back.

The 08 rookies will be fine. They are getting the right amount of ice time now.

Also from what I've heard they like playing for Walters so that would make me assume he has approached this year in a different manner and maybe got the message?

Tough game tonight. Owen Sound will clog up the ice similar to what we saw last night. Any games I've seen of OS this year they never quit playing so Spits need to be ready and hopefully get up early.

Defense is not always that low in our end...

 

[DetSpitsFan]

I wonder about buying this year too. Greentree & Spellacy should be back, I doubt even if the season ended today, Protas would be… but there is a chance any/all of them are gone next year. I can’t imagine selling any of those pieces the way it’s been going so far.

At the same time, I don’t think “All In” is the way to go either. I really like our 08’ group and I don’t want to move those pieces if we’re trying to be competitive long term… we’re on track.

With how things are now, I think a conservative buy year would be my preference. Let’s get a better look at Froggett, and keep an eye on the progress of our D. Picking up a quality backup/potential starter for insurance and adding a top minute D man are the additions I’d currently make if the deadline was here. Scoring hasn’t been an issue, I wouldn’t be opposed to adding a body up front (it would push out a 4th liner), but scorings been a non-issue.

I have the mentality that if things are working, don’t shake up the room too much.

Again, I see this a lot like our OHL final year. Playing above expectations. I think we’ll learn if Bowler regrets not going all in that year based on moves he makes this year.

If we have two super competitive years, finish last and repeat, I don’t mind the model.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

I feel Christoforo has been stellar this year, even with the point sheet aside. He’s never going to be that big physical D man. But. He’s getting guys to the outside, jumping up in the play at opportune times (with forwards being more responsible to help), and he’s blocked SO many shots already.

I don’t know what made the turn but I like it. Maybe Mathurin is just the right partner for him? I wonder too if he was playing it a bit too safe in his draft year. Didn’t seem like he wanted to be touched, and he certainly wasn’t dropping a knee in front of so many shots.

It almost feels like he was trying to stay healthy to get him to the draft, and now he didn’t hear his name called, he’s did a 180 and is blocking every shot. That’s probably just my view from the stands, but I’m glad we held onto him.

Maybe the change of scenery needed was just a quality head coach.

Walters is doing wonders, and he’s making the Smith choice look even worse than it did last year

 

[punch1943]

Just a personal note. I have enjoyed reading the comments from everyone regarding our SPITS so far this year but until now haven’t been able to comment let alone watch a game live or otherwise. 1stly I was in Hotel Dieu and now their rehab. Hopefully I’ll get home at the end of the month. Meanwhile I’ll just quietly enjoy the bantering. Keep up the good work…Punch

 

[ohloutsider]

Just a personal note. I have enjoyed reading the comments from everyone regarding our SPITS so far this year but until now haven’t been able to comment let alone watch a game live or otherwise. 1stly I was in Hotel Dieu and now their rehab. Hopefully I’ll get home at the end of the month. Meanwhile I’ll just quietly enjoy the bantering. Keep up the good work…Punch

Well all the best to you and hopefully you will be able to chat it up more soon.

 

[tomschman]

Well all the best to you and hopefully you will be able to chat it up more soon.

We miss you, Punch.

 

[windsor7]

I feel Christoforo has been stellar this year, even with the point sheet aside. He’s never going to be that big physical D man. But. He’s getting guys to the outside, jumping up in the play at opportune times (with forwards being more responsible to help), and he’s blocked SO many shots already.

I don’t know what made the turn but I like it. Maybe Mathurin is just the right partner for him? I wonder too if he was playing it a bit too safe in his draft year. Didn’t seem like he wanted to be touched, and he certainly wasn’t dropping a knee in front of so many shots.

It almost feels like he was trying to stay healthy to get him to the draft, and now he didn’t hear his name called, he’s did a 180 and is blocking every shot. That’s probably just my view from the stands, but I’m glad we held onto him.

Maybe the change of scenery needed was just a quality head coach.

Walters is doing wonders, and he’s making the Smith choice look even worse than it did last year

Still out of position a lot.
However forwards are covering for his wandering more..

 

[SpitfireHabs1]

Just a personal note. I have enjoyed reading the comments from everyone regarding our SPITS so far this year but until now haven’t been able to comment let alone watch a game live or otherwise. 1stly I was in Hotel Dieu and now their rehab. Hopefully I’ll get home at the end of the month. Meanwhile I’ll just quietly enjoy the bantering. Keep up the good work…Punch

Hope everything is all good & good luck. I had cancer a few years back in my twenties and there wasn't too much i wanted/could do or cared to do on somedays, i ended up getting lucky enough to still be here and thankful for it but Hockey sure made me forget about life some days during that difficult stretch especially when your team is playing good!!

But i Hope to see this team keep firing on all cylinders. Im sure Walters might not say it but he wants this one bad and i dont expect him to take it easy.

Belchetz is due for a multi point night and wouldnt doubt if he has a strong game on the score sheet. Would be nice to see him on the top line again.

Hope to see our Spitfires winning ways continue. Its early still but im starting to really believe this squad is for real, no need to add big pieces at the extent of any 08's or a few of our 07's, the future is clearly bright for this team and hopefully Bowler plays it smart.

Go spits Go.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Windsor at Owen Sound
Costanzo and George are the goalies
Winegard and Lemieux are in
Martin and Garden not dressed along with Cole Davis
If that's the case Windsor dressing 8D,10F.

 

[OHLTG]

Martin is a healthy scratch, which I find odd.

 

[Travis Bickle 77]

Pretty good game so far, good pace back and forth. Need some solid tape to tape passing!!

 

[ohloutsider]

Like Greentree said in the interview, a bit sloppy on the puck management.

 

[OHLTG]

Random thought on Belchez. He was dominate the 1st week, but has done little since then. He may need to watch 1 game from the pressbox. Sometimes watching a game puts everything in perspective. The OHL was way too easy the 1st 3 games.

I wanted to comment on this since I didn't have a chance yesterday...

Belchetz is used to dominating and going through teams. He's finding out that you can't do that in the OHL but, at the same time, he's getting chances and playing smart. The goals will come in due time as long as he keeps doing what he's doing. That said, he needs to be with the right players such as tonight when he's with Spellacy and Nesbitt.

 

[windsor7]

Martin is a healthy scratch, which I find odd.

Shouldn't be odd.

 

[ohloutsider]

Played much better in the 2nd and 3rd.
Impressive for being on the road for 7 of 10 games.
Now the next 5 of 6 are at home.

 

[LeafsFan18]

Delete

 

[Cherrydon]

2 Goals against in 2 road games turns from luck to earned hard wins.

 

[I Loveallsports]

Spits just reload. You guys don't stay down for too long.

 

[OHLTG]

This is just fun to watch. Ive been hesitant to say they're contenders but I could be swayed in that direction. 8-1-1, .850 for best in the league, 54 goals (by far the best in the league), 27 goals against (tied for fourth in the league, those teams have played fewer games). This team is playing for each other, playing for their coaches, and they're having fun doing it.

For what it's worth, 8-1-1, .850 is tied with Moncton for tops in the CHL. They've scored four fewer and allowed five fewer.

BTW, some interesting stats...

Cristoforo leads the OHL with a +18. Greentree leads the league with 23pts in 9 games. He also leads with 17 assists. Costanzo is second with a 2.00 GAA and second with .932SV%.

I'm sure they'll hit a wall at some point. You don't go from 18-42-5-3 or whatever it was to 50-17-1, for instance. There's likely going to be a speedbump and a "teachable moment", if you will. I'm almost expecting it. However, until that happens, I'm riding the wave.

 

[I Loveallsports]

This is just fun to watch. Ive been hesitant to say they're contenders but I could be swayed in that direction. 8-1-1, .850 for best in the league, 54 goals (by far the best in the league), 27 goals against (tied for fourth in the league, those teams have played fewer games). This team is playing for each other, playing for their coaches, and they're having fun doing it.

For what it's worth, 8-1-1, .850 is tied with Moncton for tops in the CHL. They've scored four fewer and allowed five fewer.

BTW, some interesting stats...

Cristoforo leads the OHL with a +18. Greentree leads the league with 23pts in 9 games. He also leads with 17 assists. Costanzo is second with a 2.00 GAA and second with .932SV%.

I'm sure they'll hit a wall at some point. You don't go from 18-42-5-3 or whatever it was to 50-17-1, for instance. There's likely going to be a speedbump and a "teachable moment", if you will. I'm almost expecting it. However, until that happens, I'm riding the wave.

You guys maybe in on Musty? Interested?

 

[hockeylegend11]

You guys maybe in on Musty? Interested?

If I am Windsor I would have zero interest in Musty,would sooner spend on a dman who could return next season.

 

[hockeylegend11]

This is just fun to watch. Ive been hesitant to say they're contenders but I could be swayed in that direction. 8-1-1, .850 for best in the league, 54 goals (by far the best in the league), 27 goals against (tied for fourth in the league, those teams have played fewer games). This team is playing for each other, playing for their coaches, and they're having fun doing it.

For what it's worth, 8-1-1, .850 is tied with Moncton for tops in the CHL. They've scored four fewer and allowed five fewer.

BTW, some interesting stats...

Cristoforo leads the OHL with a +18. Greentree leads the league with 23pts in 9 games. He also leads with 17 assists. Costanzo is second with a 2.00 GAA and second with .932SV%.

I'm sure they'll hit a wall at some point. You don't go from 18-42-5-3 or whatever it was to 50-17-1, for instance. There's likely going to be a speedbump and a "teachable moment", if you will. I'm almost expecting it. However, until that happens, I'm riding the wave.

Interesting stat about Greentree, despite leading the league in points with 23 in 9 games played,11 points in his last 3 games,7 games out of his 9 played multiple point efforts and with Windsor leading the league on the PP Greentree has scored 0 PP goals so far.
He has scored 4 goals in his last 3 games and 3 of them have been of the empty net variety.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Interesting stat re Joey Costanzo who happens to be,8-0 on the season,his 1st 2 starts he allowed 6 goals,now in his last 6 starts he has allowed 10 goals,6-0 record and 5 of those goals were in 1 game at Brampton,hard to believe he had 10 wins all last season and had a 5.08 goals against average,and just for conversation purposes 5 dmen who played here last season play here now.
Eichler, Walton, Christoforo, Woodall, Winegard,technically 6 Manzo too,5 of them rookies,Christoforo was in his 2nd year,so far what a difference a year makes.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

One year can make all the difference. Also, I thought it a bit last year as well, that a lot of defensive issues, were on the offense. Things this year are working. Costanzo’s playing solid too. His numbers are now at a point if he plays a bad game, they don’t skyrocket. That pressure to get down a 5.00 GA is tough, as things can snowball quick. Even a 4GA outing can be tough mentally.

Now, we’ve all been hesitant to go, “We’re contending” too early, but this team is a 180 from last year.

We’re now at 10 of 68 games played. Spits have 20% of their road games behind them. We’re 8-1-1. Our starting goalie.. hasn’t started and lost. Plus as OHLTG mentioned, Greentree (our top forward) leads points, Christoforo (dare I say, our top d man) leads +/-

Also, looking at the stats is tough sometimes with different numbers of games played, however, there’s not another team that can hit the 17 point mark, when they’re at 10 games played.

Which puts Windsor at the #1 spot in the standings 10 games in…

eat it OHL Rankings lol

 

[DetSpitsFan]

Odd stat looking at the OHL leaders, Top 5 in points right now are all from the 22’ draft, All 06s, except Misa, 2007.

Feels Weird for 3rd year players to be dominating with no OAs in the top… or even anyone from the 05 group.