‘Despite everything, we’re right in there’
For the first time in eight years, the Windsor Spitfires’ average home attendance is on the uptick.
It’s too modest — about 55 fans over last season — to celebrate it as a Memorial Cup hosting bump. And though it’s fourth in the league (behind London, Kitchener and Oshawa), it’s too late to get to the 6,000-plus gate average it was during the club’s Taylor Hall and Ryan Ellis heyday in a brand new rink from 2009-11.
But Spits GM Warren Rychel anticipates big, loud crowds for the stretch drive and into the playoffs. Windsor, after all, is a busy place with more than the usual array of entertainment options.
“It’s a little different in London,” Rychel said. “In London, there’s really nothing else to do besides go to the Knights game. They have the market covered and it’s a perfect storm. Hat’s off to Mark and Dale (Hunter).
“Windsor has the Tigers, Lions, Pistons, Red Wings (in Detroit), Windsor Casino and several arenas that have concerts. We’re doing well, our fans are excited for what’s to come and we’re gaining momentum (heading toward the Cup in May).”
If you didn’t want to see the Knights and Spits clash in the post-season before, you might want to now.
If Rychel had his way, it wouldn’t be until May under a revamped playoff system.
“I really wish it was a 1 vs. 16 (post-season format),” he said. “Last year, we won 40 games and lost in the first round. That’s tough. Four good teams in the Western Conference this year are going home unhappy. I’ve talked to a lot of hockey people, NHL scouts and GMs, they can’t wait for the Western Conference playoffs to start.
“I think back and it’s really unique. You have five teams here (routinely in the Canadian Hockey League’s top 10 poll) on our side. There’s nothing like it. And you have Saginaw playing well. Kitchner is a good team. Guelph beat us. The hockey’s great and it’s exciting.”
The Spits, unfortunately, have followed a similar road as the 2014 Memorial Cup host Knights. They have suffered a rash of injuries and illnesses that have thrown them off-balance.
Because of his knee, hulking d-man Logan Stanley’s status is uncertain for even Cup duty in the spring. Logan Brown is still week-to-week and has only played in 25 games with various woes, and he’s a difference-maker up front.
Windsor hoped to have highscoring Christian Fischer back and wanted to sign American star Clayton Keller. With the clock about to strike midnight on that option, Rychel indicates he’s still discussing it with the Coyotes, but Keller is leading a strong Boston University team in scoring, so the odds are slim, at best.
“My big concern is I’m worried about the health of our team,” he said. “Rocky (coach Rocky Thompson) and I can’t control how London, Owen Sound, Erie plays. We’ve got guys playing out of position and forced minutes.
“The good news is we’re hanging in there and still gaining points. To do that in this tough conference, it’s impressive. Despite everything, we’re right in there.”
No one is questioning sophomore goalie Mike DiPietro, who has quickly turned into one of the league’s best stoppers.
“You can put him up in the same conversation with all the other guys,” Rychel said. “I’ve known him and his character for a long time. The only thing he doesn’t have is experience, but he’ll get that Game 1 (of the playoffs and Cup).”
His steady play, and the work of top NHL prospect Gabe Vilardi, doesn’t make the quest for the West Division title, at bare minimum, any less nerve-wracking.
“You get excited because Sault Ste. Marie is losing halfway through the third period of a game,” Rychel said, “but then you see they score three goals and win (for two more points). Our focus will be on them after we get our guys healthy. We have a harder schedule than the Soo the rest of the way. But that’s OK. Our players still have more to give. There will be some tests down the road. There is going to be a heck of a lot of good hockey played here yet.”
Rychel, as usual, made some slick moves at the deadline, foremost being the acquisition of Kitchener star forward Jeremy Bracco.
“He’ll help us,” Rychel said. “He’s a good kid and loves being at the rink. There’s a lot more to come from him. He was a big factor in Kitchener eliminating us last year.”
Losing in the first round now isn’t an option for the Spits. Not in a Cup year.
“We’ll keep fighting through adversity,” Rychel said. “We want to take care of business against the Soos, Londons and Eries, and hopefully, get some luck with the scoreboard-watching. We want to start the second season with a clean slate.”
And all eyes around the league will be watching their progress closely, no matter how many butts are in the seats on the home front.