Windsor Spitfires 2024-25 Season Thread, Part IV

[rve24]

I think the point is that +- is a stat that can only take you so far. Even if you want to point to his ranking it's not likely based on +-. It's a team based stat. Honestly the +- for a player on a terrible team means the same if the player has a good +- on a real good team.

Analytics left that stat in the dust 20 years ago as far as revelance. Especially when used without context. It's a lazy way to judge a player ( good or bad ) with all the info out there now

 

[OHLTG]

I think the point is that +- is a stat that can only take you so far. Even if you want to point to his ranking it's not likely based on +-. It's a team based stat. Honestly the +- for a player on a terrible team means the same if the player has a good +- on a real good team.

But, again, is it good because he's on a good team, or is the team good because he's improved? It honestly looks like a little of both, which is (I'm assuming) what we all want.

 

[windsor7]

What in his defensive game in his own zone/ nuetral zone/O zone have you noticed a substantial improvement in I think is the question.i don't watch enough to know but if you could point out or quantify the personal improvement it would help.( again don't watch him enough so can't say but you do)
What of these does he do better than last year. I'm sure there are some and it's not a dig at ya, honestly curious where his improvements are.
- I read he was good at blocking shots last year, is he better this year at it?
- does he retrieve pucks quicker on dump ins providing extra time for an easy outlet when they dump.in his corner?
- does he provide interference to give his D partner more time on dump ins better?
- does he win more 1 on 1 battles in corners or on the boards
- is he better at lifting sticks in the blue ice
- is he in better position as an outlet if the team needs to regroup in nuetral or DZone than last year?
- does he support the puck on rushes to keep a turnover from quickly being turned into a rush by an oppenent better? ( good O control is good for D)
- does he stand up better n defend the centre ice line than last year? ( an underrated skill/team commitment that forces icing or dump ins that O team lose possession on)
- does he have a more active stick or quicker feet in the D zone than previous?
- does he hold the OZone blueline and prevent outlet passes better n keep OZone control?
- does he slide down the half wall on reversals to keep pucks alive offensively at the right times more often?

Give us readers some actual insight as a regular at games, fan with some access to the team and/or media pregame


I'm honestly just curious. I read he sucks, he's good, he sucks he's good but there is rarely an attempt other than +/= to show the improvement. Heck HL had him on par or ahead or Parekh n Dickson year 1.
You watch enough and long enough there's gotta be sonething. It'll help silence the nay sayers

He avoids any physically at all times.
Not a defensive trait.

 

[rve24]

He avoids any physically at all times.
Not a defensive trait.

I'm sure he has improved in some areas. I just don't see him often.
Sounds like the goaltending has been better and other D also but the GA is pretty good. Just wondering what strides he has made, but probly won't get an answer unfortunately.

 

[ohloutsider]

He has improved a

What in his defensive game in his own zone/ nuetral zone/O zone have you noticed a substantial improvement in I think is the question.i don't watch enough to know but if you could point out or quantify the personal improvement it would help.( again don't watch him enough so can't say but you do)
What of these does he do better than last year. I'm sure there are some and it's not a dig at ya, honestly curious where his improvements are.
- I read he was good at blocking shots last year, is he better this year at it?
- does he retrieve pucks quicker on dump ins providing extra time for an easy outlet when they dump.in his corner?
- does he provide interference to give his D partner more time on dump ins better?
- does he win more 1 on 1 battles in corners or on the boards
- is he better at lifting sticks in the blue ice
- is he in better position as an outlet if the team needs to regroup in nuetral or DZone than last year?
- does he support the puck on rushes to keep a turnover from quickly being turned into a rush by an oppenent better? ( good O control is good for D)
- does he stand up better n defend the centre ice line than last year? ( an underrated skill/team commitment that forces icing or dump ins that O team lose possession on)
- does he have a more active stick or quicker feet in the D zone than previous?
- does he hold the OZone blueline and prevent outlet passes better n keep OZone control?
- does he slide down the half wall on reversals to keep pucks alive offensively at the right times more often?

Give us readers some actual insight as a regular at games, fan with some access to the team and/or media pregame


I'm honestly just curious. I read he sucks, he's good, he sucks he's good but there is rarely an attempt other than +/= to show the improvement. Heck HL had him on par or ahead or Parekh n Dickson year 1.
You watch enough and long enough there's gotta be sonething. It'll help silence the nay sayers

He has improved at blocking shots. Improved enough that he has been tagged as a good shot blocker .
He is attempting to use the body more and attempting to clear the net more. Taken a couple of penalties lately for maybe getting the timing wrong but having said that he needs to up this part of his game in a big way. A big reason why he won't be on any scouts radar again this year.
Also he has really improved on the no panic puck control and getting the puck moving forward.
Losing puck battles and the need for more physical play leaves less opportunities for that as a whole.
Has he improved this year, yes and the numbers are trending that way but it is only part of what he needs to improve on.
He is definitely an asset to the team and I'm glad he is on the Spits.

 

[TheGremlin]

He has gotten better as most players do year after year. I think one big reason the +/- has improved is because the goaltending has improved alot from last year.

 

[rve24]

He has improved a

He has improved at blocking shots. Improved enough that he has been tagged as a good shot blocker .
He is attempting to use the body more and attempting to clear the net more. Taken a couple of penalties lately for maybe getting the timing wrong but having said that he needs to up this part of his game in a big way. A big reason why he won't be on any scouts radar again this year.
Also he has really improved on the no panic puck control and getting the puck moving forward.
Losing puck battles and the need for more physical play leaves less opportunities for that as a whole.
Has he improved this year, yes and the numbers are trending that way but it is only part of what he needs to improve on.
He is definitely an asset to the team and I'm glad he is on the Spits.

Appreciated. That ability to retrieve dump ins or loss pucks, not panic and transition is a big one.
Probly won't ever be a physical presence it sounds but other ways to defend. Take care.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

We are allowed to believe he's improved. We can also believe he's not capable of being a #1 D on a team that has championship aspirations. Both can be true.

 

[Cherrydon]

His shot blocking is as good as anyone in the league. No doubt. The only problem is with dropping down to block a shot/pass leaves him out of position when he misses. He would rather take a shot then physically engage with the player. Gutsy but odd. He likes to position himself deep in our own crease as a stop gap when he knows goalie is flopping around. Watch him, he's often behind our goalie instead of taking the unguarded player out front taking the shot. That's my beef. He can pass, smart as hell at times, but there's the over untimely pinching when we are tied or maintaining a lead which is a big nono. Shot is soft, no 1 timer capability. Often ices puck, unnecessarily imo to extend an already over extended shift. Plus minus improvement is mainly playing behind the 1st line with Mathurin babysitting with a much better Joey and Protas added with the infused fantastic rookie crop. No growth improvement in his physicality or positional play imo. Woodall by comparison is a slightly smaller player but will not tjjnk twice to physically engage the opposition. Has some of the tools to be fantastic and also has a few tools he needs to lose I'm sure the multiple coaches prior to Walters has not helped his development.

 

[windsor7]

His shot blocking is as good as anyone in the league. No doubt. The only problem is with dropping down to block a shot/pass leaves him out of position when he misses. He would rather take a shot then physically engage with the player. Gutsy but odd. He likes to position himself deep in our own crease as a stop gap when he knows goalie is flopping around. Watch him, he's often behind our goalie instead of taking the unguarded player out front taking the shot. That's my beef. He can pass, smart as hell at times, but there's the over untimely pinching when we are tied or maintaining a lead which is a big nono. Shot is soft, no 1 timer capability. Often ices puck, unnecessarily imo to extend an already over extended shift. Plus minus improvement is mainly playing behind the 1st line with Mathurin babysitting with a much better Joey and Protas added with the infused fantastic rookie crop. No growth improvement in his physicality or positional play imo. Woodall by comparison is a slightly smaller player but will not tjjnk twice to physically engage the opposition. Has some of the tools to be fantastic and also has a few tools he needs to lose I'm sure the multiple coaches prior to Walters has not helped his development.

Absolutely

 

[RayzorIsDull]

So after London losing to Kitchener last night. Is it fine that Windsor dropped 2 straight this weekend missing a possible chance to reduce the deficit by 2-3 points? Spits still have a shot with 3 left against London but you want 4-5 points in regulation. Or we good satisfied with 2 seed and if Kitchener overtakes London that Windsor faces London in round 2?

 

[windsor7]

So after London losing to Kitchener last night. Is it fine that Windsor dropped 2 straight this weekend missing a possible chance to reduce the deficit by 2-3 points? Spits still have a shot with 3 left against London but you want 4-5 points in regulation. Or we good satisfied with 2 seed and if Kitchener overtakes London that Windsor faces London in round 2?

Don't want to face London in round 2 I would think.
London ran into bus trouble last nite on way to game. Probably threw them off a bit.

 

[OHLTG]

I'm taking this past weekend with a grain of salt. Yes, it's frustrating that they lost both games but you get healthy, learn, and move on. They've got a giant home stand coming up that, to me, will tell us a lot about the team.

 

[OHLTG]

Spellacy has signed with Chicago.

 

[Cherrydon]

Don't want to face London in round 2 I would think.
London ran into bus trouble last nite on way to game. Probably threw them off a bit.

If Windsor wins the west they can't face London until 3rd round unless Kitchener passes London. Division leaders are seeded 1-2 throughout the conference rounds.

 

[windsor7]

If Windsor wins the west they can't face London until 3rd round unless Kitchener passes London. Division leaders are seeded 1-2 throughout the conference rounds.

Right. But who knows what will happen from now till end of season..

 

[SpitfireHabs1]

Spellacy has signed with Chicago.

A bit surprised for sure. One of those players that has alot of tools in his tool bag but still trying to perfect how to use them and put it all together. Speedy forward with hockey sense but not afraid to throw hits and get in your face, takes care defensively and can tell he has the potential for elite offensive ability. It's just he hasn't crafted it all together yet, we've seen flashes or the odd game where he has that complete package on display but not consistently. Just think his hands and skill have to catch upto his speed and hockey sense. Glad for him tho that he secured his bag and pro contract, another step towards his dream.

Hopefully for the Spitfires this is a kick in the but and gets him to take that next step here as playoffs approach.

Go Spits

 

[hockeylegend11]

As the Spits start the final third of their regular season schedule interesting stats comparison in the 1st 44 games,1st 22 games of the season Spits went 15-5-2,with a record of 8-2 at home and 7-3-2 on the road,GF was 91 and GA was 63,59 excluding empty netters,Liam Greentree led the team in scoring with 33 points in 21 games played,10G,23A,Ilya Protas was second in scoring with 12G,11A,23 points in 19 games played,Ryan Abraham was 3rd with8G,14A,22 points,while dman Anthony Christoforo led the D with 18 points in 21GP, 5G,13A and an impressive +26.
Goalie Joey Costanzo played in 18 games of the 22,record of 13-4-1 and an average of 2.30.Spits were 1st place in the conference, several players had solid starts to their season aside from the ones I noted.
At the 22 game mark Spits were 5th on the PP and 7th on the PK.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Now we come to the last 22 games of the schedule that they have played,Spits went 16-5-0-1,33 points, great record at home 9-0-0-1 and 7-5 on the road including the last 2 games when half the team was ill plus a couple of injuries to boot.
They scored 104 goals and allowed 74
What has been interesting is the scoring from their leaders,Ilya Protas really impressed and improved during these games,despite missing the last 2 games he led team in scoring with a whopping 47 points in 20 games 18G,29A,while linemate Liam Greentree exploded too offensively 43 points with 22G,21A,43 points.
Jack Nesbitt contributed 25 points,7G,18A,Noah Morneau 23 points,7F,16A,and Cole Davis despite missing 3 games contributed 10G,11A,Christoforo led the D in scoring again with 5G,9A,14 points,while Carson Woodall added 2G,10A to place 2nd in dman scoring
Joey Costanzo like the team D at times struggled as his average was above 3
,though his record was 12-4-0-1, interesting rookie tenders Michael Newlove and Jake Windbiel played 3 games total wound up 3-0 in the process,with Newlove being very impressive, Froggett only played 3 games in these 22 games, played pretty well,went 1-1,with an average of around 2.55,despite injury and now an illness.
Spits are now 5th on the PP and 4th on the PK,there have been 3 new players added with the trade deadline, Manzo and Martin departing,McNamara, Kennedy and Costello now in the mix.
One more road game tomorrow at Sarnia,then Spits will play the next 7 at home,actually 8 of the next 9 will be at home where they are now 17-2-0-1 after 20 games played at the friendly confines of the WFCU.
My attitude get healthy, don't take teams lightly and carry on with the fine season currently being played.