Windsor Spitfires 2024-25 Season Thread, Part II

[Cherrydon]

We would have to finish 1st in the Western division to have a shot at a second round win without facing 1 or 2 from the Midwest where the run is liklely to cease with the current team. I would not spend on this year unless player is returning liklely next year. I would sell and try and set up likley OAS for next year so we're not overpaying for them next year. Hard to judge any goalie with this defense. Took JC 3 years of this D to grow thick enough skin and compensate his game adjusting to this team. Froggett could be stellar on a London and 5 gaa here. Young goalies left out to dry We've seen for several seasons. Fix the D for now and next year is priority 1. 1 average night by our goalie and almost guaranteed to lose. Offense sputtering and you can't outscore your defense going down the stretch with consistent success. Not rocket science. Same plan for any hockey team in any league. Defense wins cups of all brands.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

I hope the Spits get Froggett more starts. He was solid in his last start. I hate that he is not being used. He has shown potential in preseason. His lack of playing time has him turning into another Brock Beier.

If Froggett were to develop, he could be another potential trade piece next year. Another scenario would be to trade Costanzo next year for a OA D. However, right now, due to lack of playing time, Froggett has little trade value.

Wouldn't he have to play a lot? He's not that young anymor. Based upon very little game experience and not much to show for it I can't see how he increases that value.

Bowler has to really show his worth in the next 2 months. He needs to choose a path and that might mean admitting prior mistakes to set them up for the future. They're not flush with draft picks in the present and future (it's not bad though.) This comes back to January of 2023 though he picked his path and playoffs 2023 and the following season stunk. He can't do this again.

 

[spits]

The decision for Bowler is easy, add a defenseman that will also be back next season. They have 2 2nds in this year's draft, trade one of them as part of a deal. He would also have to send one of his players back in a trade.

It's important to at least win a round this season heading into next season. It's not easy winning zero rounds, than hoping to win four rounds the next season.

 

[windsor7]

The decision for Bowler is easy, add a defenseman that will also be back next season. They have 2 2nds in this year's draft, trade one of them as part of a deal. He would also have to send one of his players back in a trade.

It's important to at least win a round this season heading into next season. It's not easy winning zero rounds, than hoping to win four rounds the next season.

Not a soft defenseman.
They have enough of them..

 

[ohloutsider]

Well the start of a tough 3 in 3 weekend. No easy games on the agenda. IMHO 4 points would be a successful weekend . It could be 6, could be none. Depends on which Spitfire team shows up. Big barometer weekend for Bowler. Be safe.

 

[tomschman]

Well the start of a tough 3 in 3 weekend. No easy games on the agenda. IMHO 4 points would be a successful weekend . It could be 6, could be none. Depends on which Spitfire team shows up. Big barometer weekend for Bowler. Be safe.

Kitchener will want revenge for the 12 - 2 defeat. That game will be real tough.

 

[ohloutsider]

Colton Smith heading to the NCAA next year. This ruling change is going to help a lot of kids.

 

[Cherrydon]

I think it is good for the OHL, players and obviously the NCAA.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

I think it is good for the OHL, players and obviously the NCAA.

The draft strategy for CHL teams will change a bit as well.

 

[Cherrydon]

Absolutely. Expect high end US players to be drafted in rounds much earlier. I always thought 15 rounds are way too many anyways. Teams hold rights to players that they can't put into active roster and they are stuck. Gives the kids more control and maybe find a spot to play to be seen. Also maybe take dreamers and make them realize school may be their future and not pro hockey.

 

[tomschman]

Colton Smith heading to the NCAA next year. This ruling change is going to help a lot of kids.

Is that a fact or speculation?

 

[ohloutsider]

Is that a fact or speculation?

Fact, article in the Windsor Star. .

 

[OHLTG]

Colton Smith heading to the NCAA next year. This ruling change is going to help a lot of kids.

Clarkson University. Good for him!

 

[hockeylegend11]

Well the start of a tough 3 in 3 weekend. No easy games on the agenda. IMHO 4 points would be a successful weekend . It could be 6, could be none. Depends on which Spitfire team shows up. Big barometer weekend for Bowler. Be safe.

No doubt a tough weekend ahead with 3 in 3 against teams not doing the same thing,definitely don't take any of upcoming games for granted, Windsor comes into the action 2--1-1 in their last 4 games played and 3 of them were on the road ,with the exception of the Sudbury game a 9-3 loss in Sudbury Windsor only allowed 3-5 on 5 goals in the games,OT loss was 3 on 3 goal,2 goals at North Bay 1 was a PP marker with 2 man down blocking a shot and the other was a 6 on 5 with goalie out for NB.
One game at a time is my motto.
Should mention last year at this time after 21 games played Spits were 4-16-1- 9 points,
this year they are 14-5-2 -30 points,last season 13 of the 1st 21 were at home,this year 12 of the 1st 21 have been on the road.
Also goalie Joey Costanzo last year at this was averaging 5.68 goals against and a record of 3-9,this year so far he is averaging 2.41 with a 12-4-1 record huge improvement, course team allowed 118 goals last year thru 21 games excluding empty netters this season they have allowed 58 goals excluding empty netters huge difference.
Go Spits Go.

 

[windsor7]

No doubt a tough weekend ahead with 3 in 3 against teams not doing the same thing,definitely don't take any of upcoming games for granted, Windsor comes into the action 2--1-1 in their last 4 games played and 3 of them were on the road ,with the exception of the Sudbury game a 9-3 loss in Sudbury Windsor only allowed 3-5 on 5 goals in the games,OT loss was 3 on 3 goal,2 goals at North Bay 1 was a PP marker with 2 man down blocking a shot and the other was a 6 on 5 with goalie out for NB.
One game at a time is my motto.
Should mention last year at this time after 21 games played Spits were 4-16-1- 9 points,
this year they are 14-5-2 -30 points,last season 13 of the 1st 21 were at home,this year 12 of the 1st 21 have been on the road.
Also goalie Joey Costanzo last year at this was averaging 5.68 goals against and a record of 3-9,this year so far he is averaging 2.41 with a 12-4-1 record huge improvement, course team allowed 118 goals last year thru 21 games excluding empty netters this season they have allowed 58 goals excluding empty netters huge difference.
Go Spits Go.

Every team plays 3 in 3 games this year
Windsor no different.
Better tighten up the defence..

 

[windsor7]

Costanzo starts

 

[SpitfireHabs1]

It's Been an up & down last few weekends for this team, i think they have fallen back down to earth and got humbled a bit. We have a really good team here in Windsor this year but the hot start to the season was unsustainable. Think this team battles for the top of the division and finish 2-4 somewhere come playoff time.

Walters has been a solid coach so far and im confident this team will be ready and playing playoff style hockey when that time comes, for now hoping this team learns from these bad games and stretches of hockey to become a better team.

some players you can feel are just due for a big break out game offensively. Barrie's No joke, they are a good team & fully expecting a tough and rough game tonight. We Need to see a good two way game by all players to help Joey out and secure a win.


Go Spits Go!!

 

[windsor7]

Windsor leads with a goal from Martin.
Unexpected goal.

 

[Teflon]

Well they won. Didnt show up for much of the game. Bad passes, little checking, brutal pp. im not sure who is running the pp but its time for a change. My biggest concern besides the D?? Why have the players who should be leading and excelling regressing?? Someone needs to break the tape down by player by shift and make them understand.

 

[Cherrydon]

Much better puck support tonight. Joey solid again. Morneau is the engergizer bunny. The elephant in the room is the continuing absolutely abysmal PP. Not only did they not score but they had only a couple of decent looks goong 0-7. Something like 5 in the last 37 or something. I'm sorry but that drop pass back trying to enter the zone is a joke. 1 PP we spent 30 seconds diddling with ourselves. Nesbitt in the low post has potential. Offense is sputtering bug time. Greentree 3 goals last 11 games. Spellacy 2 goals last 16 games Protas 3 goals last 11 games Belchetz 2 in last 13 games Nesbitt 1 in last 10 Abraham 2 in last 13 games. Glad to see the team play much better in their own end tonight but what is going on offensively?? 1 or 2 players hitting a drought is expected, but all the big guns are ice cold. Yes. Still very happy to get the 2 points tonight.

 

[spits]

The Spits just beat a very good Barrie team stacked with high NHL picks. They have what, 8 NHL picks, and Aitchenson, who is going to be a first-round pick. There is nothing to complain about tonight's win except the power play. It's become predictable just switch to maybe an overload instead of the umbrella.

This was a bit of an odd game, both teams were kept to the outside most of the game. There was not much room on the ice, sort of what you see in playoff games. This squad has proven they can win the games with defense. Do I want to see more offense? Yes of course. But this was a defensive playoff type of game.

Manzo is looking good for a rookie d man, not sure if he is being showcased but he's getting more and more ice time. Good crowd of about 5,000 tonight.

If they win tomorrow I'll be surprised, that building is a house of horrors for us.

 

[OHLTG]

One thing to note from post-game - Walters said that Torres is taking over the PP while Newbury will run the PK. It's a change from before (I'm guessing they were the opposite).

 

[DetSpitsFan]

One thing to note from post-game - Walters said that Torres is taking over the PP while Newbury will run the PK. It's a change from before (I'm guessing they were the opposite).

Thought the PK has been pretty good, but the PP? man 0 for 7 is brutal, as mentioned, few chances even.

However, it did give us 14 minutes of powerplay time, nearly 1/4 of the game. That definitely helps the flow, and they got Barrie playing a bit sloppy, and the Spits remained disciplined.

Martin had some good shifts. I’m glad he scored on that shift, he was out there making hits, and create space, glad he finished.

Aforementioned Morneau was going tonight. got chances, drew penalties, took some abuse and just kept going. I’m not sure if it’s great on Morneau or not so much on Abraham, but on the stat sheet those two are looking quite similar…

Costanzo was solid as well, I’ve been very impressed with him this year after heavy concerns last year.

I didn’t hate the game tonight aside from the frustrating powerplay. Barrie’s got a pair of good tenders, we put up 2, he made some big saves and we hit a couple posts pretty square on (Outwater was one, think Abraham was the other?)

Do you run Joey for the only Conference game of the weekend? Or do ya toss out Froggett in a tough building, vs a tough team and say “let’s see what you can do kid”?

May be a good test for Froggett to rest Joey for Sunday… but kitcheners looking great lately, I think if you start with your backup you run the risk of still seeing Joey.

It seems this team is quite different when they score the first goal, wonder if that applies to wins on the weekend too

 

[OHLTG]

Some thoughts...

The good:

- One goal against is something to be proud of. That's a good Colts' club.
- Impressive start for the Spitfires, they were hitting and creating. They needed that energy after a frustrating weekend.
- Martin chipping in helps with his confidence.
- Cristoforo played well, gets a seeing-eye goal and the first star. I'll admit it - I'm impressed.
- Costanzo didn't have to do a ton but made the saves he needed to.
- Their passing was much better, overall. When they connected in the neutral zone, you felt like they had a chance to really create offensively.

The bad:

- 0/7 on the PP is tough to swallow. They held onto the puck too long, tried to get cute, tried to make the extra pass, and it cost them.
- Only two goals is rough. They need to find a way to click again. There are too many guys to list that need to find the back of the net. They're not far off but it has to happen.

As I said earlier, Walters said post-game that Torres will take over the PP while Newbury works the PK now.

As for the weekend - I'd start Costanzo in Kitchener and then Froggett at home on Saturday. I'm picturing a very hungry Rangers' club eager to reverse that 12-2 game and, short of a miracle from Froggett, I don't see it. This isn't anything against him but very "don't feed him to the beast."

Regarding Abraham/Morneau - it's more an "ugh" towards Abraham. I've said it a few times lately that it feels like he's blended into the background instead of standing in the spotlight with others. I like the kid and think he can do great things but, if someone came asking about him, I don't hang up the phone right away.

 

[ohloutsider]

Impressed with the win especially on the defensive side of the game. The only scoring came from the 4th line and the defense, that is a concern. When you play better and have more chances on the PK then on the PP, that is a concern. Seeing your D standing behind the net for 20 seconds trying to set up the PP that is a major concern.
Your best players need to be your best players and right now that is not the case. I could name many but the one that stands out to me is Protos. Just seems to be floating out there. I expected more from a high import pick.
Good thing is it is still early and they are racking some points which is far far better than last year. A division win is the goal so hopefully they can maintain this.

As suggested above you go with Costanzo tonight. He will need is triple A game against a rested and angry team. Parsons has been stellar for them so not holding my breath on this one but at least make it close and maybe they can steal another 2 points. Be safe.