Windsor Spitfires 2024-25 Season Thread, Part II

OHLTG

Registered User
Nov 18, 2008
17,031
9,420
behind lens, Ontario
Okay... a bunch of thoughts...

- A combined darn near 15 players out combined between the teams. It is what it is; from world juniors to injuries, you live with what you've got.
- Pre-game, I was asked what I thought... and I said "this will either be a blow-out or their goaltender is going to make 50 saves." I was closer with the latter. Ellsworth played well for them when he needed to.
- Windsor played a decent overall game. They skated, they fought for the puck, they crashed the net. What they didn't do was play "pretty" hockey. They missed a TON of chances around the goal, including missing the net entirely on multiple golden opportunities. Even I laughed at one point at how stupid it had become.
- Costanzo did his job and I appreciated it. I don't think he deserved first star; may have given that to Davis. But, he was the Joey we needed, regardless.
- The call-ups... Stewart ate some minutes, Lavigne ate some bench. I think he got one or two shifts? They were warm bodies, nothing more. It sucks to say that, but it is what it is.
- The Davis, Morneau, Abraham line was really good. They grind, they skate, they shoot, they play 200 feet. No complaints. Davis even has the Gordie, though I don't think he was looking for the tilt.
- Kind of interesting thing I noticed about Abraham... when he scored, there was zero excitement. He kind of stared up with this blank look on his face. I don't want to read anything into it, but I said at the time "It looks like he's not really with it and trying to soak all of this in." I mean, the trade deadline isn't far away. I wonder...?
- Martin with his first fight at home in ages. Topp can throw and hold his own... a better fight than I expected. Suspensions or not, I hope we see more of that from Martin.
- I laughed hard when they played WHAM! Last Christmas as soon as warmups ended. If anyone in the arena was playing Whamageddon, they lost real quick. I lost last Friday while working... and have heard it nearly daily since. It's the price I pay sometimes haha
- Someone asked about injuries. After the game, Walters said Froggett is lower body and TBD, though he's been on skates recently. Tnias and Belchetz are both back "relatively soon." Outwater is still up in the air but I haven't heard anything good on that. Nothing on Walton but it sounds like today was more precautionary for things. The holiday break comes at a pretty darn good time; get these boys healed and ready for the second half.
- One last thing - my goodness, the officiating was hilarious tonight. I don't like talking about them unless they're really noticeable and tonight was that night. Hutchison wasn't bad; he called a decent game and talked to the players. Monette comes across as "this is my game" and borderline arrogant at times. He ignores players, gives attitude, and even had Greentree rolling his eyes. When I see Monette as an official, I know we're in for a night.

I don't know what'll happen with the deadline. I can say that Windsor is involved with Konnor Smith but how far that goes is up in the air. Brampton is looking at him, too. It depends on how much OS wants in return and who's willing to pay. The holiday freeze is on until Dec. 28 or 29, though, so we don't really have to think much about it.
 
Last edited:

DetSpitsFan

Registered User
Nov 20, 2016
1,288
2,091
Okay... a bunch of thoughts...

- A combined darn near 15 players out combined between the teams. It is what it is; from world juniors to injuries, you live with what you've got.
- Pre-game, I was asked what I thought... and I said "this will either be a blow-out or their goaltender is going to make 50 saves." I was closer with the latter. Ellsworth played well for them when he needed to.
- Windsor played a decent overall game. They skated, they fought for the puck, they crashed the net. What they didn't do was play "pretty" hockey. They missed a TON of chances around the goal, including missing the net entirely on multiple golden opportunities. Even I laughed at one point at how stupid it had become.
- Costanzo did his job and I appreciated it. I don't think he deserved first star; may have given that to Davis. But, he was the Joey we needed, regardless.
- The call-ups... Stewart ate some minutes, Lavigne ate some bench. I think he got one or two shifts? They were warm bodies, nothing more. It sucks to say that, but it is what it is.
- The Davis, Morneau, Abraham line was really good. They grind, they skate, they shoot, they play 200 feet. No complaints. Davis even has the Gordie, though I don't think he was looking for the tilt.
- Kind of interesting thing I noticed about Abraham... when he scored, there was zero excitement. He kind of stared up with this blank look on his face. I don't want to read anything into it, but I said at the time "It looks like he's not really with it and trying to soak all of this in." I mean, the trade deadline isn't far away. I wonder...?
- Martin with his first fight at home in ages. Topp can throw and hold his own... a better fight than I expected. Suspensions or not, I hope we see more of that from Martin.
- I laughed hard when they played WHAM! Last Christmas as soon as warmups ended. If anyone in the arena was playing Whamageddon, they lost real quick. I lost last Friday while working... and have heard it nearly daily since. It's the price I pay sometimes haha
- Someone asked about injuries. After the game, Walters said Froggett is lower body and TBD, though he's been on skates recently. Tnias and Belchetz are both back "relatively soon." Outwater is still up in the air but I haven't heard anything good on that. Nothing on Walton but it sounds like today was more precautionary for things. The holiday break comes at a pretty darn good time; get these boys healed and ready for the second half.
- One last thing - my goodness, the officiating was hilarious tonight. I don't like talking about them unless they're really noticeable and tonight was that night. Hutchison wasn't bad; he called a decent game and talked to the players. Monette comes across as "this is my game" and borderline arrogant at times. He ignores players, gives attitude, and even had Greentree rolling his eyes. When I see Monette as an official, I know we're in for a night.

I don't know what'll happen with the deadline. I can say that Windsor is involved with Konnor Smith but how far that goes is up in the air. Brampton is looking at him, too. It depends on how much OS wants in return and who's willing to pay. The holiday freeze is on until Dec. 28 or 29, though, so we don't really have to think much about it.
I wonder how Allen impacted the price. Hoping the sellers are going, well, “London didn’t buy our guy”, let’s get whatever we can.

I wonder that with Abraham as well. He just kinda feels like the odd man out. Scored a goal (maybe an EN) a week or two ago and just shrugged. But the he’ll grind out some tough shifts or throw hands. It’s like he’s disinterested but then goes out there and does something quite the opposite. He also sat an entire third and went out and started the next game on the 4th line. Somethings up.

Have to imagine it’s him going out if Smith is coming in, and maybe he knows it. Overall, I’ve enjoyed his tenure here going through some super highs and super lows with the Spits. I know nothing on the insider front this deadline, but it seems as if he’s waiting for bad news or he’s already got it and is just waiting for it to be official. Or maybe he’s just a case of knowing he’s only got a couple months left of this caliber of hockey.
 

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