Seems that 3 goal lead became too comfortable. Joey looked shaky tonight to say the least. 5 goals on what, 25 shots? Most of which weren’t overly impressive?
That’s a discouraging game to start the weekend.
Windsor Spitfires 2024-25 Season Thread, Part IV
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That’s a discouraging game to start the weekend.
That was not about the defense. It was the horrid goaltending. Sarnia had very few shits where they had the pressure. Need to make a save here and there. They only gave up 22 shots, that's not on the defense.
Anytime you outshoot a team 46-22 and lose, it's more of a fluke, let's be honest. They quit playing after it was 5-2 but I think that game was more about Sarnia being 'due to win'.
Go with Frogget tomorrow and Sunday. Also, why does Spellacy keep getting all this ice time in OT? He has 3 points in his last 20 games, that's the production you see from a 4th line player. Has zero offensive scoring touch. Not good enough.
Not a big deal, doesn't matter in the standings but you don't want bad habits creeping before the playoffs. Goaltending is becoming an issue.
Anytime you outshoot a team 46-22 and lose, it's more of a fluke, let's be honest. They quit playing after it was 5-2 but I think that game was more about Sarnia being 'due to win'.
Go with Frogget tomorrow and Sunday. Also, why does Spellacy keep getting all this ice time in OT? He has 3 points in his last 20 games, that's the production you see from a 4th line player. Has zero offensive scoring touch. Not good enough.
Not a big deal, doesn't matter in the standings but you don't want bad habits creeping before the playoffs. Goaltending is becoming an issue.
Saginaw has been dominant, but they are 15 points behind. There's basically a 0% chance they can catch the Spits. That's part of the problem in games like this, the squad isn't really playing for a spot in the standings and more for personal points, and as a result you get results like we saw here.
OHLTG
Registered User
Until windsor clinches, you have something to play for. They don't want Saginaw to have any hope.
Tonight was a tough lesson. Learn from it.
They should be fine for the 2 seed. There's a fair bit of Bowler showing too much trust in his group. People talk about next year but I don't think they're better off in the present or future.
Joey save % over past 10 games is .877 not something we need moving to the playoffs. He makes some great saves but finds a way to let a couple of softies past. Strange but becoming a little concerning. We should be losing games due to a great opposition goalie performance. Allowing 6 goals is not the recipe. Good news we did get a couple of PP goals.
Outshooting Sarnia 38-14 after 2 being up 3-2 then only being outshot 8-6 in the 3rd but tied 5-5 is the epitome of brutality. Protas or Greentree in on all 5 goals. Anybody else want to pitch in??
StingUpdates
Registered User
- Jan 12, 2019
- 5,727
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I don't know why but some of our more electrifying wins in the regular season over the years seem to come vs you guys, lol. Least we got that I suppose.
While I agree you guys needed a save from Costanzo, id also say your net front D was pretty bad.
2nd goal your guys over commit on the PK leaving Kennedy (I think) by himself vs Filak & Brown.
3rd goal all 5 guys over commit leaving Brown & Edwards completely alone out front.
4th goal is a bit unfortunate that a blocked shot went right back to Hall, but when he shots he's point blank in the middle of the zone with nobody on him.
5th goal a scramble, but Karimov is left completely untouched net front. That cant happen esp in a 6on5 to end the game.
Id be pointing the blame at that too. Gotta be way tighter around your own net even vs the bad teams like us!
Greentree & Protas were taking our lunch money tonight. What a special duo. Protas was chirping & staring our bench down after goals. Didn't think he had that side to his game. Evidently he does, haha. See ya in a few weeks for what I hope is the final time this year lol.
While I agree you guys needed a save from Costanzo, id also say your net front D was pretty bad.
2nd goal your guys over commit on the PK leaving Kennedy (I think) by himself vs Filak & Brown.
3rd goal all 5 guys over commit leaving Brown & Edwards completely alone out front.
4th goal is a bit unfortunate that a blocked shot went right back to Hall, but when he shots he's point blank in the middle of the zone with nobody on him.
5th goal a scramble, but Karimov is left completely untouched net front. That cant happen esp in a 6on5 to end the game.
Id be pointing the blame at that too. Gotta be way tighter around your own net even vs the bad teams like us!
Greentree & Protas were taking our lunch money tonight. What a special duo. Protas was chirping & staring our bench down after goals. Didn't think he had that side to his game. Evidently he does, haha. See ya in a few weeks for what I hope is the final time this year lol.
OHLTG
Registered User
This exact thought crossed my mind about an hour ago. They play desperate when they're down.
ohloutsider
Registered User
Yes the goaltending was awful.
Yes the giveaways were awful.
The defense was awful.
The effort was awful.
But what about some of the bench management? Lines were in a blender all night. No timeout to settle the troops when it was obviously heading south?
Players on the ice for Ot that never played together all night and rarely do play together?
Camera panned to the bench before OT started and 2 coaches talking 2 each other and smiling? Maybe talk to and get your guys fired up?
This was a total team loss and props to Sarnia for not quitting and getting the win.
Games get tougher as the weekend goes on. Hopefully Froggett tonight and if he wins we will see who starts Sunday. Be safe.
Yes the giveaways were awful.
The defense was awful.
The effort was awful.
But what about some of the bench management? Lines were in a blender all night. No timeout to settle the troops when it was obviously heading south?
Players on the ice for Ot that never played together all night and rarely do play together?
Camera panned to the bench before OT started and 2 coaches talking 2 each other and smiling? Maybe talk to and get your guys fired up?
This was a total team loss and props to Sarnia for not quitting and getting the win.
Games get tougher as the weekend goes on. Hopefully Froggett tonight and if he wins we will see who starts Sunday. Be safe.
You will get the blender out when guys are struggling or still too young and not capable of being consistent.
Spellacy 0 Points -1
Costello 0 points -1
JC Lemieux 0 points
Same for Belchetz Garden Davis. Spellacy and Davis have to be better. Fortunately Greentree and Protas have made up for some of the struggles.
For one of the rare times this season disagreed with some of Walter's moves last night,would have started Froggett last night,as he beat them 8-2 last time they played,plus Costanzo shut out Flint 3-0 in Flint last time there would have saved him for tonight, before last night both goalies have played well in the last 5 games,Froggett should start tonight.
Didn't like Hicks sitting out last night has played well lately, would have sat Mathurin till tonight,tonight changes I would make Froggett in goal,Hicks,Winegard, Gaymes in,rest Mathurin for tomorrow vs Saggy, sit out Costello and Garden ,expecting Flint to be nasty again.
Spellacy and Davis have struggled offensively lately, Davis 2 assists in last 6 games,Spellacy pointless same stretch, in the last 9 Davis 0G,9A,Spellacy, 15 games 2G1A.
As for Costanzo one of his worst games of the season,especially the 3rd,can't be blamed for the last bad 8 minutes totally Windsor played,by far Windsor better team 1st 52 minutes, will be interesting tonight to see what happens.
Team is now 4-0-2 in their last 6,both losses OT on the road,they have outscored the opposition 19-6 ,5 on 5 in this stretch, last night worst game of the last 6 especially the 3rd period,have bounced back before this season,my confidence with this group hasn't wavered.
Didn't like Hicks sitting out last night has played well lately, would have sat Mathurin till tonight,tonight changes I would make Froggett in goal,Hicks,Winegard, Gaymes in,rest Mathurin for tomorrow vs Saggy, sit out Costello and Garden ,expecting Flint to be nasty again.
Spellacy and Davis have struggled offensively lately, Davis 2 assists in last 6 games,Spellacy pointless same stretch, in the last 9 Davis 0G,9A,Spellacy, 15 games 2G1A.
As for Costanzo one of his worst games of the season,especially the 3rd,can't be blamed for the last bad 8 minutes totally Windsor played,by far Windsor better team 1st 52 minutes, will be interesting tonight to see what happens.
Team is now 4-0-2 in their last 6,both losses OT on the road,they have outscored the opposition 19-6 ,5 on 5 in this stretch, last night worst game of the last 6 especially the 3rd period,have bounced back before this season,my confidence with this group hasn't wavered.
Teflon
Registered User
- Jan 6, 2018
- 2,034
- 3,706
This group doesnt seem to want to learn from mistakes. Ive spoken at length about that big tough D man that clears the zone, we never got one. The D zone package still isnt focusing on clearing the slot.
Yes this team has been successful during the season but this play will not translate into wins come crunch time. I keep seeing the warning signs from that year kitch handed us our asses….
Yes this team has been successful during the season but this play will not translate into wins come crunch time. I keep seeing the warning signs from that year kitch handed us our asses….
ohloutsider
Registered User
Greentree- Protas- Monreau
Nesbitt- Beltchez- Abraham
Spellacey- Davis - Lemieux
Why change the top 3? Don't fix what ain't broke???
You can blend the 4th line to get others minutes and move them up as injuries or suspensions require moves.
I'm a firm believer in letting younger players play with what they know.
Pros You can expect the ability to adjust but players at this level already have a lot to learn so why make it harder on them???
nelli27
Moderator
ohloutsider
Registered User
He was back last night but had taken a shot to the ankle that sidelined him for a few games.
Can't disagree. Bowler has tried to money ball the defense and it has worked to an extent. The question is how far can it take you? I don't think much has been mentioned about the underwhelming play of McNamara. Him alone isn't enough to compensate for the struggles of Spellacy and Davis.
I hate to say it as my blood runs blue, but I really wish BB would have grabbed a tender at the deadline. We are so inconsistent at that position. You are only as strong as your weakest link.
I’d say Kennedy is one of the tougher/harder hitting/consistently hitting defensemen now in the Western Conference. Bad pinch on a split second decision in OT, on a goal that probably shouldn’t have trickled thru Joey. I’m not mad about OT, because we NEVER should have been there yesterday. Not blaming 3 on 3 hockey for that loss
I thought goaltending was a lot more fluky than the D last night. If the Spits scored 6 times on 24 shots like the Sting did, we would’ve had a 6 goal lead at the start of the second. I do prefer Christoforo/Mathurin, but wonder if the switch up was due to Woodall being a bit more of a stay at home guy lately, and Mathurin having a bit more of a spark offensively and then wanting to split up offense from the back end.
Blowing a 3 goal lead to a 7th/8th seed is rather laughable when the division is all but wrapped up. It’s a sign of checking out. We’re sitting second, and that ain’t changing. I think that’s been realized and well, here’s to a month of mediocre hockey we can bitch about lol.
Lots of points for Abraham. I think Morneau and Abraham are relatively interchangeable on line 1. But I do think you’re going to get more heart and hustle out of Morneau on the third line, where Abraham appears to just glide around out there when he’s that low/lacking high producing line mates.
Protas/Greentree with Abraham
Spellacy/Davis with Morneau
Nesbitt/Belchetz with Lemieux
That’s my top 9, pairings together swap around the third guy if you want.
McNamara is a 4th line guy. I don’t think he’s underwhelming, because I didn’t expect a top tier player that was moved for a 5th round pick hopping to his third team in a year and a half. He’s fine. Two way depth piece. If you’re disappointed in him, I think you had unrealistic expectations. Tbh, I’d take him everyday over Outwater.
And at the end of the day. I’d rather see Garden get the minutes.
Now with 2nd place all but guaranteed… I’d be trying to figure out some stuff internally. Don’t want to shoot his confidence down further, but Newlove looked good. Froggett has shown up in big games.
If I’m there, I’m shortening the leash and expanding our options. B cards still apply to goalies, no? Got a lot of games to mess around with Newlove and Windbiel, just saying
I thought goaltending was a lot more fluky than the D last night. If the Spits scored 6 times on 24 shots like the Sting did, we would’ve had a 6 goal lead at the start of the second. I do prefer Christoforo/Mathurin, but wonder if the switch up was due to Woodall being a bit more of a stay at home guy lately, and Mathurin having a bit more of a spark offensively and then wanting to split up offense from the back end.
Blowing a 3 goal lead to a 7th/8th seed is rather laughable when the division is all but wrapped up. It’s a sign of checking out. We’re sitting second, and that ain’t changing. I think that’s been realized and well, here’s to a month of mediocre hockey we can bitch about lol.
Lots of points for Abraham. I think Morneau and Abraham are relatively interchangeable on line 1. But I do think you’re going to get more heart and hustle out of Morneau on the third line, where Abraham appears to just glide around out there when he’s that low/lacking high producing line mates.
Protas/Greentree with Abraham
Spellacy/Davis with Morneau
Nesbitt/Belchetz with Lemieux
That’s my top 9, pairings together swap around the third guy if you want.
McNamara is a 4th line guy. I don’t think he’s underwhelming, because I didn’t expect a top tier player that was moved for a 5th round pick hopping to his third team in a year and a half. He’s fine. Two way depth piece. If you’re disappointed in him, I think you had unrealistic expectations. Tbh, I’d take him everyday over Outwater.
And at the end of the day. I’d rather see Garden get the minutes.
I think if we had seen in 2024 what we’re seeing now in 2025, he would have. Joey was a rock at the start of the season.
Now with 2nd place all but guaranteed… I’d be trying to figure out some stuff internally. Don’t want to shoot his confidence down further, but Newlove looked good. Froggett has shown up in big games.
If I’m there, I’m shortening the leash and expanding our options. B cards still apply to goalies, no? Got a lot of games to mess around with Newlove and Windbiel, just saying
If you're talking about a backup then yes. Froggett hasn't been terrible but he hasn't been good either.
