Windsor Spitfires 2024-25 Season Thread, Part IV

[Cherrydon]

While there are still dirty slewfoots, they were obvious and seldom occurred. The last couple of years the call is way more common and many don't fit the reason the rule was enacted. By definition a opposing players must swipe out the leg of the player while using elbow or arm on in an opposite direction on upper body to take the legs out. Belchetz leg was behind but no arm or elbow pulling back. Slewfootvcalks used to occur in a open ice area, not when a player is trying to avoid a hit while his legs are pinned by checking player against the boards. I'd call that a soft call if it waz s Sarnia player with the infraction. Refs decision. They all differ in opinion

 

[OHLTG]

Is there video of the slewfoot?

 

[StingUpdates]

Only replay the broadcast showed.

I do think that right leg pushes into Hurt's feet/legs.

But it's a bit awkward/odd looking & not as clear cut as most slewfoots.

 

[Cherrydon]

Yes. 1 shot shown on Cogeco. Warner opinion was it would not be a major. I agree

 

[spits]

solid win. That slewfoot, I dunno, was a harmless play, I think Belchetz' size and angle of the hit made it seem like a slewfoot? Seems weak, not blaming anyone or saying anyone is getting shafted, they are strict on anything resembling a slewfoot.

Dominating win, but it was to be expected. Brantford next. Possibly the best team in the Eastern Conference, would be a good win for confidence.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

While there are still dirty slewfoots, they were obvious and seldom occurred. The last couple of years the call is way more common and many don't fit the reason the rule was enacted. By definition an opposing players must swipe out the leg of the player while using elbow or arm on in an opposite direction on upper body to take the legs out. Belchetz leg was behind but no arm or elbow pulling back. Slewfootvcalks used to occur in an open ice area, not when a player is trying to avoid a hit while his legs are pinned by checking player against the boards. I'd call that a soft call if it waz s Sarnia player with the infraction. Refs decision. They all differ in opinion

Agreed. Any team does that, I don’t think a penalty should be issued, especially a major, ESPECIALLY a suspension.

I remember when they’d reserve suspensions for guys that left their feet to deliver checks… I’ve seen half a dozen of those across the league this week that didn’t even result in a minor.

I’m not complaining.

I’d rather have less be called than more. And I’d much rather see a big hit, than a behind the play, whack, hack, slash, or cross check.

Now I don’t think Davis’ hit was overly dirty, nor penalty or suspension worthy but if you rewind both the Belchetz and Davis plays and make someone guess who’s sitting out for a suspension tomorrow, i don’t think most would guess Belchetz.

 

[OHLTG]

Ok, some thoughts...

- This was the response they needed. Yes, it's a lower-placed team but Sarnia gives you fits every time so this was the chance to make a statement.
- A quick start was important and you can't get much quicker than two in the opening 2:30 and three in the opening nine.
- Last game, they couldn't put two passes together and looked sloppy at both ends. Tonight, they were crisp, they were clean, and they were able to move the puck efficiently. You see plays like stick lifts, reading Sting passes, getting into the lanes, and that's how you win.
- A few garbage goals; that's the grinding they need to do.
- Costanzo looked solid overall. The PP goals; the first one was too much room defensively, the second was Cristoforo missing the block. No issue with the effort but a foot to his left and you're blocking that.
- At the other end, Maillet looked good and maybe kept it from being 10.
- Nine Spitfires with a point, four having multi-point games. Greentree with three helpers, but Morneau, Belchetz, and Abraham are big. Protas with some good chances and picks up an A.
- I've seen the Belchetz slew-foot now. I can see how it would be called that; the guy gets hit and looks to fall back. Maybe the leg goes further than it should and/or the arm goes back a bit. It looks more like a hit and momentum from the size difference. I know Belchetz had the look of "me? really?" when he was initially called. I can see it being a game or two, maybe.
- The France hit on Protas didn't look horrible but serious props to Greentree for standing up for him right away. France is a tough kid. Not the biggest but seems to have a pitbull-esque mentality to him. I don't necessarily want to go into the Marco Caprara comparision but... that direction, at least.
- The Davis stuff happened really fast near me. The next thing I know, two Sting are on him (Young and Beamish) and a third (Hurt) is standing above as the play goes behind the goal. Kennedy ran in to help out, as did Spellacy, so props to both of them. Hurt grabbed Kennedy after Kennedy came in, and Spellacy then grabbed Filak.
- They did a draw for PWHL tickets. Maybe I'm alone in this but, while I love the contests, having the draw off camera doesn't seem to be as... thrilling. It got very little reaction from the crowd. Maybe there's a better way to do it?
- With the win, plus Saginaw loss, puts Windsor back to 19 points ahead of the Spirit. Windsor has 18 left, Saginaw 19. The win also puts Windsor 35 points up OS, who's in ninth. Windsor's playoff magic number is now "4". OS is at home to NB tomorrow. So... Spitfires could clinch, in theory.
- Also worth noting - I just looked and this is the first Fri/Sat back-to-back home games since at least 1997-98.