Windsor Spitfires 2024-25 Season Thread, Part IV

[RayzorIsDull]

Was at the game last night and something going this morning so posting a little late on this one.
Some have already posted on this but I was very impressed with the play of Nesbitt. Definitely drawing attention from the Knights. Not sure how the hit on him was not a penalty but it seemed to get the Spits more engaged after. Also seems to be the go to guy for key faceoffs. Not sure on his numbers but coaching staff are putting more trust in him for the key ones. Scouts have to be seeing this as well.

Another thing for me was the 4 08's getting quality ice time. Can't say enough about them when all 4 are an important part of the teams success. Not sure how many other teams are using 4 rookies and having the success the Spits are getting from them? This looks very promising for the future.

I saw the ill advised quote from the Spitfire media team and they need to be better.
Having said that London does not lose gracefully and when you see their head coach going off on a tyrant and Simpson having to guide him towards the dressing room you can see why they act that way. They were trying to start fights, screaming at the bench, slaming doors, throwing things on their bench and taunting the Spit bench. Not liking to lose is one thing but that was over the top. Starting with the head coach and down they need to be better. London fans calling the post classless is true but an internal review of their own teams behavior is over due. Rant over.

I will add something ironic with his comment and sporting that blue

 

[All the Answers]

It happened in the one small area of the ice I can't see very well. I even had to stand up and look around a player to see who got hit (then realized it was Nesbitt).

I was watching on TV, and completely missed what happened in real time so I hold no blame on the stripes. Replays showed all.

 

[BoogieB]

The London Knights are the most potent team in the league. The Spitfires seem to rise up and play their best against them. They are the only team to beat them 2x. In watching the replay, Windsor seemed to be 100% aggressive on the puck in the third period, always forcing and fore checking hard, almost relentlessly. That is the key to their success moving forward. This is how London plays and Windsor should take note. Always pursuing that puck 100% , finishing checks and forcing the other team. This has to happen in the offensive and defensive zones. Relentless pursuit of puck possession. A full 60 minutes of hard forceful play.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Technically, we beat them recently at home, unless you meant to add a caveat that London couldn't be down five guys due to the World Juniors in order for it to count.

Actually they were down 3 players to World Jrs ,the 2 Finns played against Windsor that night.
As for the comeback win over London nice to see,hopefully will give the guys confidence moving forward, solid defensively last period allowing only 6 shots for Froggett to save,interesting in 2 appearances vs London totaling near 1 game he hasn't allowed a goal against.
Smart move by Walter's to pull Costanzo, pretty happy allowing the highest scoring team in the league to one 5 on 5 goal.
Protas is a beast great game by him,very pleased with the efforts of Spellacy and Nesbitt upfront, Kennedy, Mathurin and Christoforo on the backend.
7 of Windsor's top 8 point scorers had at least a point except the #1 guy Greentree who went pointless team showed nice depth.

 

[Cherrydon]

Protas is the best Spitfire since Wyatt. Unfortunately he looks like this league has met all it can for his development. Love to see him back, but not liklely unless the Caps want him to take a serious leadership role which is unlikely with Greentree alresdy captain. As far as Greentree, he needs to dial in his shot accuracy to be on net. Not a cut but meant to be something he needs to work on moving forward. Takes 10 shots. 2 will score and 8 are there, here, over there. He's likely back next year imo. Good for the Spits I guess I m not complaining.

 

[OHLTG]

Protas is currently at 34 goals, which ties Alex Khokhlachev for 2nd most goals by a Spitfires' Import in a season. Koko hit that in 2010-11. The record is 39, which was hit by Tom Kuhnhackl in the same season.

 

[nelli27]

Protas is currently at 34 goals, which ties Alex Khokhlachev for 2nd most goals by a Spitfires' Import in a season. Koko hit that in 2010-11. The record is 39, which was hit by Tom Kuhnhackl in the same season.

Protas arguably the frontrunner for league MVP, and I don't take pleasure in saying that. Lol!

 

[ohloutsider]

Protas arguably the frontrunner for league MVP, and I don't take pleasure in saying that. Lol!

Yes he has been very good and right up there but there are others that will likely have some considerations as well. I know goalies don't get that often but Parsons has to be in the discussion as well. I believe Kitchener would be a middling team without him. That for me is the definition of an MVP type player.

 

[ohloutsider]

Fun to beat the Knights Sunday but tonight's game against Saginaw has more consequences for the Spits and the standings. Don't want to give Saginaw any thought they have a chance.

I'm going to assume they start Costanzo tonight and hoping to see a bounce back game from him. Starting to see some of last year's Joey shine through and that is concerning heading into the playoffs. He has been having better games after his shaky games this year which is good but consistency is the name of the game in the playoffs.

See the Knights clinched a playoff berth last night. Glad the Spits delayed it by 1 game on Sunday.

Getting to the time of year to start scoreboard watching and try to figure out who will face the Spits in the first round. I'm thinking either Sarnia or Flint? Sarnia always gives the Spits fits so it will be interesting whoever it is. Be safe.

 

[nelli27]

Fun to beat the Knights Sunday but tonight's game against Saginaw has more consequences for the Spits and the standings. Don't want to give Saginaw any thought they have a chance.

I'm going to assume they start Costanzo tonight and hoping to see a bounce back game from him. Starting to see some of last year's Joey shine through and that is concerning heading into the playoffs. He has been having better games after his shaky games this year which is good but consistency is the name of the game in the playoffs.

See the Knights clinched a playoff berth last night. Glad the Spits delayed it by 1 game on Sunday.

Getting to the time of year to start scoreboard watching and try to figure out who will face the Spits in the first round. I'm thinking either Sarnia or Flint? Sarnia always gives the Spits fits so it will be interesting whoever it is. Be safe.

Check out Saginaw's recent addition courtesy of SJ Sharks organization....#25.

 

[ohloutsider]

Check out Saginaw's recent addition courtesy of SJ Sharks organization....#25.

Yes he looks like a big get for Saginaw.

 

[windsor7]

Yes he looks like a big get for Saginaw.

Someone Windsor should pay attention too for sure

 

[ohloutsider]

Surprisingly Froggett with the start. Davis back in. Hicks Gaymes and Wingard out.

 

[SpitfireHabs1]

Froggett gets the nod, rewarding strong relief performance with a start, well deserved. I am hoping the Spitftfires carry that momentum and joy of knocking off the knights into tonight's divisional game. Time to string together some Wins especially on a home stand. Hope to see a strong well rounded effort tonight!

Go Spits Go

 

[OHLTG]

Surprisingly Froggett with the start. Davis back in. Hicks Gaymes and Wingard out.

Gaymes is in, Costello is out. As far as I know.

 

[windsor7]

Gaymes is in, Costello is out. As far as I know.

Probably better he not playing

 

[windsor7]

Defense is very soft

 

[OHLTG]

Defence has to tighten up, every of them.

 

[windsor7]

What a snoozefest

 

[spits]

Not a good game. They did not play a horrid game, had 40 shots on net, but could have been better defensively. I think the difference in this one was goaltending. Their goalie made big saves while ours made none. Definitely had more prime scoring chances than Saginaw.

Goaltending is becoming an issue. Have the last month or so to figure out the goaltending. The chances are pretty good we are playing the Sting in the first round as I expect Flint to finish ahead of them considering their roster. Need to dominate the Sting on Friday evening.

 

[thespitslurker]

Some thoughts on tonights game that I was able to go to:

Pros
- The Greentree and Kennedy goals were nice.
- None of the Spits had a great game but some of the players who I can't get mad at today were Protas, Morneau and Davis. I thought they were fine.

Cons
- Im gonna go on a hunch and say the Spits have not adapted to teams tightening up defense and playing safer with the puck lol
- Concerned about goaltending recently. Froggett was awful today and Costanzo didnt look great either. They gotta get it together this is a bad time to do this
- Idk if the puck was super bouncy or the ice was bad but that game might have been the worst game in recent memory that I've seen when it comes to the Spits passing and puck control. More than half the team had problems obtaining passes or passing to others it was driving me nuts.
- Im gonna go ahead and say it. Cristo was f***ing horrible tonight. Not even sugarcoating it and lying about it he was so goddamn bad tonight. Could not grab the puck, could not shoot, could not skate. Nothing. He was horrible.
- The Top 6 has been so mediocre recently. Belchetz hasn't been taking a step and even took a dumb penalty (even tho i think the SH goal came from that), Greentree was stuck with 2 guys on him for a lot of the game and couldn't shake them off, Nesbitt has cooled down, etc.

The Spits are now 2-2 during this home stand (almost 1-3 if it wasn't for the improbable comeback against LDN). Go above 0.500 in this stretch please. Get to work.

Go Spits Go.

 

[OHLTG]

A few thoughts...

Pros:

- I really liked the Greentree goal. Oke had no idea where to look and it was well executed.
- I didn't have Kennedy SHG on a breakaway on my 2025 bingo card but here we are. Well done!
- The third period had the best energy. Too bad the puck luck wasn't anywhere to be found.
- I want to add a fourth but.........

Cons:

- I'm trying to think of a single goal against where it wasn't a defensive blunder or goaltender issue. Maybe the EN? A deflection, screen/goalie issue, deflection, redirection, defensive blunder... those were the goals. You can't expect to win games if you're playing like that in your own zone.
- Do I think Froggett played well? No. Was he THE issue for the loss? No. I think he wants a few back but he'll rebound.
- Costanzo looked off on his GA. The defence didn't help him at all but you can't let that happen.
- Physically, nobody was there. It's not limited to any area, any player, and position.
- Davis was back in the lineup but looked off. Did he rush back?

Lead is down to 19 points. I'm not that worried about it but, at the same time, you don't want to let this thing get too down. Sarnia's on Friday and Brantford on Saturday. Three points should be a must and, if it's four, even better.