Windsor Spitfires 2024 - 25 Season Thread, Part V

[TheGremlin]

The team has stated in the past that they like having the ability to put players with different players. For instance... Morneau, Greentree, Protas. If Morneau gets hurt, someone can slide in there, someone else takes that spot, and so on. The more players who can play together, the better off they'll be in case of injuries. With that said, I know that not everyone will agree with the idea, and I've always been 50/50 on it, but that's why they do it.

Hasn’t really shown it has worked now has it. Team has no secondary scoring. Walter’s has no confidence in anyone but the top line and those guys are playing like they are tired. You need set lines so you can anticipate where your line mates are going to be. Hard to remember when you are always playing with different line mates.

 

[OHLTG]

Hasn’t really shown it has worked now has it. Team has no secondary scoring. Walter’s has no confidence in anyone but the top line and those guys are playing like they are tired. You need set lines so you can anticipate where your line mates are going to be. Hard to remember when you are always playing with different line mates.

It has worked (generally). There have been umpteen games this season where they got plenty of secondary scoring, where all three lines contributed in some fashion, regardless of who was with who. They know each other and have said they can play with whoever they're lined with. Nobody is going to deny that their top three are their bread-and-butter, but how many teams can say they've got six 60-point guys (five if you exclude Cristoforo)? London, Kingston, and Saginaw came close but didn't hit it... though Saginaw would have hit it if Chernyshov had played a full season.

The top guys are likely tired and over-played but when you have this many guys out, you're going to rely on your best players. Hopefully, now that Spellacy and Davis are back, they can ease up on that a bit. I fully expect the top line to get top minutes, though, because, as Walters puts it, "our best players need to be our best players."

 

[windsor7]

It has worked (generally). There have been umpteen games this season where they got plenty of secondary scoring, where all three lines contributed in some fashion, regardless of who was with who. They know each other and have said they can play with whoever they're lined with. Nobody is going to deny that their top three are their bread-and-butter, but how many teams can say they've got six 60-point guys (five if you exclude Cristoforo)? London, Kingston, and Saginaw came close but didn't hit it... though Saginaw would have hit it if Chernyshov had played a full season.

The top guys are likely tired and over-played but when you have this many guys out, you're going to rely on your best players. Hopefully, now that Spellacy and Davis are back, they can ease up on that a bit. I fully expect the top line to get top minutes, though, because, as Walters puts it, "our best players need to be our best players."

It's top line or nothing so far..
Everything revolves around them

 

[TheGremlin]

It has worked (generally). There have been umpteen games this season where they got plenty of secondary scoring, where all three lines contributed in some fashion, regardless of who was with who. They know each other and have said they can play with whoever they're lined with. Nobody is going to deny that their top three are their bread-and-butter, but how many teams can say they've got six 60-point guys (five if you exclude Cristoforo)? London, Kingston, and Saginaw came close but didn't hit it... though Saginaw would have hit it if Chernyshov had played a full season.

The top guys are likely tired and over-played but when you have this many guys out, you're going to rely on your best players. Hopefully, now that Spellacy and Davis are back, they can ease up on that a bit. I fully expect the top line to get top minutes, though, because, as Walters puts it, "our best players need to be our best players."

Regular season vs playoffs are totally different games. Top line 30 goals. Rest of team 16. Where is this secondary scoring?

 

[Knownothing]

Ok listen ive gotta vent. The injuries have been debilitating no question. But lets ask the question, why? Im looking for a new strength and conditioning coach in the off season. The person thats currently doing it didnt get the job done! Now coaching, they havent adjusted to kitcheners adjustments. Those which are easy to see what theyve done. Yes were down guys but yesterday is pretty close to all weve got to use and the team was flat. No excuse to come out flat!!! I will say this, the play of Protus the last couple games tells me im right and another year of junior is needed! All around way to cute without the will to get to the tough areas. Way to many lost battles and an overall lack of drive. Im not sure how with whats on the line!
Ok rant over lol. Can they win? For sure! If they get back to playing the kind of hockey they are capable of. Theres a great deal of talent here, i think maybe more than some know but you gotta play hard, coasting and being cute wont cut it. Lets see which team shows up Tuesday.

This is 100% accurate. I thought the exact same and didn’t post it.

 

[Knownothing]

Until last game, hadn’t lost 3 straight all season. Bad time to make 4 a first too.

 

[BoogieB]

This is 100% accurate. I thought the exact same and didn’t post it.

I firmly believe you develop chemistry and familiarity playing with same line mates constantly. Once you form a line you become almost a team within a team, hanging out together , strategizing together and just overall getting familiar with each other's tendencies. I think part of effective coaching is realizing and finding that chemistry, hey this player plays real well with that player. This player seems to bring out the skills in this player etc. Once you find effective pairings let them play together. All year long we have just seen different lines night in and night out. Now we are counting on one line to lead the way and a Hodge podge of secondary players who get tossed out there and are expected to gel.

Having said all that there is absolutely nothing you can take away from these kids and what they have accomplished this season. There is a A great group of young men in that room.

 

[tomschman]

I expect Game 7 to be a chess Match with both teams playing conservatory and trying not to make a mistake. Windsor has the advantage of last change so the top line should be able to have more space. Kitchener has strangled the top line in games 4 and 6. Greentree was out in line 5, so the top line has been invisible in the last 3 games.

Joey has no played bad in the last 3 games but was totally outplayed by Parsons. Kitchener continues to take stupid penalties, but the Spits PP has been inept. Since neither team has been able to mount a comeback, the first goal will be huge. I expect the first goal will come in the 2nd period or later and will be the result of the other team's mistake.

My prediction is London in 4, no matter who wins.

 

[BoogieB]

Seems the PP has been flat, and putting all forwards out there on the PP has lead to scoring chances on the
Rangers side. Put your D on D and get that Protas up deep where he is most effective. And why has the nifty Davis not on the PP. Guy is a speed demon that can gain the zone every time.

 

[EvenSteven]

My prediction is London in 4, no matter who wins.

Hey come on now!

I think the Rangers or Spits can take one game off them.

 

[Fastpace]

It has worked (generally). There have been umpteen games this season where they got plenty of secondary scoring, where all three lines contributed in some fashion, regardless of who was with who. They know each other and have said they can play with whoever they're lined with. Nobody is going to deny that their top three are their bread-and-butter, but how many teams can say they've got six 60-point guys (five if you exclude Cristoforo)? London, Kingston, and Saginaw came close but didn't hit it... though Saginaw would have hit it if Chernyshov had played a full season.

The top guys are likely tired and over-played but when you have this many guys out, you're going to rely on your best players. Hopefully, now that Spellacy and Davis are back, they can ease up on that a bit. I fully expect the top line to get top minutes, though, because, as Walters puts it, "our best players need to be our best players."

I wouldn't look at regular season numbers as true indicative for entering the playoffs, season's numbers are deceiving. How the numbers went at the start of the season is much different, to how it went near the end. Also, 6 players with 60 or more points and one more with 45, doesn't speak well for the remaining who did not reach the 40pts mark, were the team's depth weak all season? For example, London had 13 reaching the 40pts mark, showing a more balance lineup to their lines. And yet the teams point totals were not all that far apart in the standing. Regular season numbers are long gone, this is a new season they are playing in.

 

[OHLTG]

Regular season numbers are long gone, this is a new season they are playing in.

Yeah, they're long gone, but I'm a believer that this team's depth can (and has) help them win games. If the top line isn't going, others generally have stepped up. That said, let's hope everyone steps up tomorrow because, if not, there is nothing else.

 

[windsor7]

Yeah, they're long gone, but I'm a believer that this team's depth can (and has) help them win games. If the top line isn't going, others generally have stepped up. That said, let's hope everyone steps up tomorrow because, if not, there is nothing else.

U would hope so.
However it's top line or bust most nites.

 

[LeProspector]

Rangers getting their revenge from 2010

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Rangers getting their revenge from 2010

I thought they got it in 2023 with sweeping Windsor? A sweep and reverse sweep over a 2 year 3 season span would be brutal.

 

[Cherrydon]

The Spits live or die on 3 factors. 1st line provides 75% or better of the offense, PP effective and Joey plays better than average. Joey has held his end for he most part. PP sucks recently and with Greentree absent/half power leaves Protas easily covered shutting it down. Sure it's nice Spellacy is back but he has never has been an offensive juggernaut. Davis 1 g and Abraham 4 g can be gems one gane and non existent the next. Morneau consistently good. Only 5 spits have more than 1 goal in the playoffs and Woodall with 2 has been out. That leaves 4 players to watch. Greentree Protas and Morneau and Abraham some nights. Playoff hockey in any league requires depth scoring to go deep. Kitchener has 8 players with 2 or more goals and London has 9 players in only 2 short series. Can we win game 7. Yes, but we can't hope that Parsons has an off night to do so. He's rolling in a groove. Got to get to him early tomorrow.

 

[nose bleed section]

I was at the game last night in the Aud. It looked liked 60 minutes of Ranger interference taking place. All the Spits did was dump and chase ,that wasnt working. I gotta say the crowd there has just insane. Everytime the spits made a mistake like a bad pass the Rangers capitalized on it. I talked to Spellacy and asked if he could just sit on the bench and play pp and kill penalties. He just smiled. The question is does Walters break up the #1 line. They were gased going out every other shift.

 

[Teflon]

Well all that's left to say is this, we’ll know who deserved coach of the year after tomorrow night! Windsor MUST adjust to how kitch is shutting them down.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

Rangers getting their revenge from 2010

I love with junior hockey how it’s only the fans that remember. Lol. Not throwing shade, I too remember, but the oldest players in these lineups may have been six years old

Something special about the O, and how deep rooted these rivalries are.

Hoping for the Windsor Win in WinCity, but I’m rooting for whoever gets out of Game 7 the rest of the way.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

The Spits live or die on 3 factors. 1st line provides 75% or better of the offense, PP effective and Joey plays better than average. Joey has held his end for he most part. PP sucks recently and with Greentree absent/half power leaves Protas easily covered shutting it down. Sure it's nice Spellacy is back but he has never has been an offensive juggernaut. Davis 1 g and Abraham 4 g can be gems one gane and non existent the next. Morneau consistently good. Only 5 spits have more than 1 goal in the playoffs and Woodall with 2 has been out. That leaves 4 players to watch. Greentree Protas and Morneau and Abraham some nights. Playoff hockey in any league requires depth scoring to go deep. Kitchener has 8 players with 2 or more goals and London has 9 players in only 2 short series. Can we win game 7. Yes, but we can't hope that Parsons has an off night to do so. He's rolling in a groove. Got to get to him early tomorrow.

I think the Davis/Spellacy contribution is more than their points. Just their speed gasses other teams trying to keep up with them. Those boys start hitting, and they wear teams down quick… allowing those top line guys a little extra wiggle room.

We’re a much better team full, and I hope we are relatively close to it tomorrow. It will be needed.

Parsons has looked good, but not insane, even with the two shutouts, which is what concerns me… because I think he has more.

Joeys held up his end of the deal. One bad play at a bad time… but when it happened, the other team already had more goals than we got in that game. Otherwise, no complaints here on Costanzo. Great first half, shaky after XMas, then showed up when it mattered. IMO OA Slot locked, unless someone’s paying.

 

[OHLTG]

I love with junior hockey how it’s only the fans that remember. Lol. Not throwing shade, I too remember, but the oldest players in these lineups may have been six years old

Yeah, 2023 was the Rangers' revenge, and even the 2023 team were very different than they are today.

 

[nelli27]

Spits 3-2 (OT), Morneau GWG.

 

[Fastpace]

Teams have a habit of upping their play a few notches in desperate due or die games. Kitchener's three previous games in this series were desperate hockey, but their anxiety should be settled down a bit, this is Windsor's first desperation game. I expect a much different Spitfires team tonight than the last three, even if they are missing bodies in action. They will still be playing with a stronger team mindset. Both teams have exceeded expectations this year, both have strong coaches, and both have great short-term futures, regardless of who loses tonight's game. There is no shame in losing to the other team tonight, may the best prepared team win. London wants Windsor, with 3 and 3 for the season, they have unfinished business. They are 4 and 2 with Kitchener this season.

 

[windsor7]

It be ideal for Windsor to score 1st tonight.
Whoever scores 1st has gone onto win their games.
Though anything crazy could happen tonight. Even OT.

 

[BoogieB]

The biggest game of the season. This is the Spitfires Game 7 stanley cup game. Regardless of what happens past this point, this game really signifies where the team is at.

Look , if you had one shot or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment , would you capture it or just let it slip ?



Lets bring all we got boys and leave everything on the ice.