Windsor Spitfires 2024-25 Season Thread, Part IV

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My big thing is we have gone through several highly touted goalie prospects I n the past few years and haven't panned out. I blame BB for focusing offense first drafts for the past years outside of Hicks
Who? Medina a 3rd Rd and Downey a 2nd? Maybe Piironin? Those were a bust, but everyone else, Donoso, Incze, Onuska, Michelone did about what was expected, if not more than what we got them for.

Costanzo’s been the biggest hyped goalie we’ve had since DiPietro. And debatably the best. But something’s up. Whether it’s health, mental, or something else. I mean he’s got a 30 win season, his GAA is under 3, but post Christmas you can see something’s different.

I’m not saying throw him to the side of the road, but if the team is giving better support to Froggett, and Froggett is playing just as well or better, I think you have to lean towards the 06’.

I’d love an OHL Championship in 2025. Protas has given us an opportunity I don’t think we knew we had. BUT. I still think the focus is 25/26. I think we need to lean into Froggett tomorrow and see if his previous showings for big games was a fluke, or if he’s the guy. From what I’ve seen he thrives a bit better under pressure.

I’m fine with a 50/50 split, but I do think the 1A Role is up for the taking. We have 7 games left, and I think the biggest thing to be addressed and main focus should be the goaltending.
 
A dominating win against a good team. Good to see Spellacy generating offense. Need to see that with more consistency. The goaltending was solid. Protas was a beast, the dude is worth the price of admission.

Just horrid news on Mathurin. It's going to be really challenging to have a deep playoff run now without him. Spits will win the first round, and I have the second round as a 50/50 chance without Mathurin. It does mean more ice for Carter Hicks who is gonna be a #1 dman at some point.

There's a good chance they'll see Kitchener in the second round. I view tomorrow as sort of a big game in that regard, I guess?



Only three other teams have conceded fewer goals than the Spits, so for all the criticism, they are still one of the better defensive squads. Not easy going from 18 wins last year to winning the division this season with about 45 wins. Congrats.
 
Just horrid news on Mathurin. It's going to be really challenging to have a deep playoff run now without him. Spits will win the first round, and I have the second round as a 50/50 chance without Mathurin. It does mean more ice for Carter Hicks who is gonna be a #1 dman at some point.

I haven't heard anything concrete about Mathurin but it sounds like an outside shot at returning in the second round. It could be the season, though, so... fingers crossed.
 
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A few thoughts before I pass out...

- The only goal against tonight was a point shot that looked like it was tipped in front. Froggett's reaction was he had no chance.
- I expected the Fronts to put up a fight early, which they did. I was hoping Windsor would respond, which they definitely did.
- Protas doing Protas things. Once he gets going in front of the net, it's hard to stop him. The first goal was trench work. The pass to Abraham was a thing of beauty; Schenkel had zero chance. Then to do that again, but shoot blocker... Schenkel looked like he gave up.
- Vaccari was put in no-mans land with his two goals with Spellacy. What an intro to the game
- Props to Davis for the clutch penalty shot. That's not easy to pull off, esp against Schenkel.
- Spellacy with a fight against Uens. Not the pairing I'd have anticipated but a spirited tilt, regardless. Once I have time this weekend, I'll see if I can update the fight totals.
- I appreciate the team's discipline. They're skating away from a lot, which will only help. They'll defend each other without issue... but they're not going to look for it.
- Props to Cristoforo for blocking a shot and staying in the play. He looked like he was in some serious pain. Walters said post-game that they'll talk to the docs, see how he is. The kid may not run anyone through the boards but he'll throw is body in front of shot without a second thought. I doubt many of us would do that.
- Froggett was solid again, looking calm and collected. He's making a case for the starter's role, though I have zero doubt that they want Costanzo back to normal (as we all do).
- McNamara had some serious issues with Miedema tonight. They were chirping hard.
- The last I heard on Mathurin's injury is several weeks, like second round at the earliest, season at the worst. It's Outwater-like.

So, it's...

London
Windsor
Kitch
Saginaw
Erie

That seems like the top five right now, barring some weird happenings. Windsor won't likely catch London, short of some miracle. Kitchener isn't catching London, again, miracle. Saginaw's not catching anyone, simply too far back. Erie's not catching Saginaw, 11pts back and Saginaw isn't losing many now.

Just have to keep our eyes on the 7-9 seeds. Seven is Sarnia, eight is Soo, nine is OS, one point separates all three. OS has the only .500+ record in their last 10.

Windsor/Kitch on Friday... not playing for much beyond bragging rights should this become a second-round match.
 
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A dominating win against a good team. Good to see Spellacy generating offense. Need to see that with more consistency. The goaltending was solid. Protas was a beast, the dude is worth the price of admission.

Just horrid news on Mathurin. It's going to be really challenging to have a deep playoff run now without him. Spits will win the first round, and I have the second round as a 50/50 chance without Mathurin. It does mean more ice for Carter Hicks who is gonna be a #1 dman at some point.

There's a good chance they'll see Kitchener in the second round. I view tomorrow as sort of a big game in that regard, I guess?



Only three other teams have conceded fewer goals than the Spits, so for all the criticism, they are still one of the better defensive squads. Not easy going from 18 wins last year to winning the division this season with about 45 wins. Congrats.
While I agree news about Mathurin is disappointing you might not know with Mathurin not dressed Windsor's record in those 12 games is 10-0-2-0,quirky stat but true team seems to play better when he is out and I have no explanation for it but the numbers don't lie.
 
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Nice bounce back after last week's road trip,12 players had a least a point last night only ones who didn't were Walton,Eichler, Winegard, Kennedy, Lemieux and Garden.
Great to see Spellacy and Davis get some goals,Belchetz 1st point in his last 8 games,Froggett steady,1st goal was deflected by Battaglia.
Solid team effort,Spits continue their excellent home ice now 25-4-0-1 at home.
 
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Last 3 games played by Froggett 2 goals against total,one of 3 games allowed 0 in 31 plus minutes of relief plus 2 starts,under 1.00 goal per game average save percentage 54-56 .964
Costanzo last 3 appearances 12 goals against in just under 2-1/2 games played save percentage allowed 12 goals facing 59 shots,save percentage .797.
For now I would go with Froggett his job to lose imo.
 
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Very good game. I was impressed. Some small things to clean up based on that one. Its time to ride the goslie getting it done. You win or play real well, you start next game. Stay healthy, get into solid habits and work the game til playoff time.
 
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Windsor with a win.
Inconsistent play between games.
Froggett played good except for a few moments.
They got secondary scoring.
Stood up for themselves also.
What next game brings who knows..
Id keep Froggett in net for a couple games. Let Joey get a few splinters.
 
Who? Medina a 3rd Rd and Downey a 2nd? Maybe Piironin? Those were a bust, but everyone else, Donoso, Incze, Onuska, Michelone did about what was expected, if not more than what we got them for.

Costanzo’s been the biggest hyped goalie we’ve had since DiPietro.
Downey was also the top rated goalie in his draft as well like Costanzo. Goalies that had some success we had traded for. Ones we developed never rose to even close to their the level they were projected at. Yes Newlove, Michelone and Windbiel have great potential but they haven’t played any real time with the Spits. London goalies have only once in the past 12 seasons had a goalie out of the top 4 (finshed 6th)and top goalie in the league several times. Is that coaching, scouting, or focus to play a 200 ft game? Better D?
 
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W
While I agree news about Mathurin is disappointing you might not know with Mathurin not dressed Windsor's record in those 12 games is 10-0-2-0,quirky stat but true team seems to play better when he is out and I have no explanation for it but the numbers don't lie
My guess is that when Mathurin is not playing his defensive partner Christoforo does not pinch as much with a new partner. Christoforo has to play a stay at home defense style. That seems to be working better.
 

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