Big line powers Firefighter Peewees’ engine
They’ve been dubbed the Kid Line in years past, but this trio could easily be called the ‘Get Up and Go’ Line for the energy they bring every game.
Whatever the trio of centre Mike Siddall and wingers Tyson Baker and Jared Zufelt is called, one thing is certain: they’re the big pistons that drive the Firefighter ‘BB’ Peewees’ engine.
The Siddall-Baker-Zufelt unit leads the Firefighters into the OMHA final, against Lindsay, starting this weekend in Port Perry. Lindsay eliminated Parry Sound three games to one this past weekend.
The Siddall line has been playing together since Novice, and their familiarity with each other is part of what makes them so effective, says Firefighters’ coach Jamie Baker, who is Tyson’s father.
“They know each other so well, and they have a feel for where each other is going to be,” he said recently. “They just read what each other is doing very well.
“They all play similar styles . . . fast and big and aggressive. It’s just a great line to watch.”
All three are in their second year of Peewee hockey. Zufelt and Baker are 13, and Siddall turns 13 next month.
High-scoring trio
They rank 1-2-3 in team scoring stats—on a team that has only lost two games (both times by a single goal) all season.
All three players have scored at least 40 goals, and the line has combined for 127 goals and 284 points to date. Siddall (44-57) leads the team with 101 points, one more than Baker (40-60). Zufelt (43-40), who has played a few less games, is third with 83 points.
Without hesitation, coach Baker says they’re easily one of the best lines he’s ever coached.
Mike Siddall
Captain Siddall brings a high level of energy to every game . . . in fact
every time he steps on the ice.
“Mike brings energy to every game; he’s just a ball of energy,” coach Baker
says. “And regardless of how he’s feeling, he’s going to be the guy who’s
giving 100 percent.
“And he’s not only the leader on the ice, but what people don’t see is that
he’s the leader in the dressing room, too. He gets the guys going and he
gets them focused, and he doesn’t put himself above the team.
“Mike’s been captain of teams for numerous years; the kids always vote him
in and he’s deserving of it.”
As the line’s centreman, Siddall says he concentrates on two main things:
passing the puck to his linemates and also encouraging them.
“I try and bring leadership and encouragement to our team,” he said. “And we
try and score as many goals as we can. As a line, we work hard and pass a
lot. And we don’t let each other down.”
Jared Zufelt
Jared Zufelt is a winger who back-checks very well and plays a physical
style of hockey, Jamie Baker says.
“Jared has a good shot, a good hard quick-release shot,” his coach says. “He
also drives to the net well.”
After playing six years together, Zufelt says all three players know each
other’s habits on the ice.
“We’ve been playing together for a long time, so we all know where each
other goes on the ice, and that makes it easier,” he says.
“I try my best to dig the puck out of the corners and get it to my
linemates.”
Zufelt says he also tries to be a leader on the ice.
Tyson Baker
Tyson Baker plays a similar physical style to Zufelt’s.
“Tyson uses his speed to forecheck hard, and get the other team to make
mistakes,” his father says.
“He makes his home in front of the net. He battles hard in front of the net,
and gets those goals around the crease.”
Baker describes himself as the playmaker on the line.
“I try and set my linemates up,” he said. “We’re all good leaders and we
always come out hard, and give our team an extra boost.”
Extra incentive
After reaching Game 5 of the provincial final last year, and losing in
Collingwood, the Siddall line says it gives them extra incentive to win an
OMHA title this season.
“Definitely. It also gives the rest of the team something to shoot for,”
Siddall says.
“We got close last year, and we want to win it all this year,” Baker says.
“We’re hungrier this year to win it all,” Zufelt adds.
Notes:
•In 13 OMHA playoff games to date, the Firefighter Peewees have out-scored
their opponents 54-11. They eliminated Dorchester (3-0), Petrolia (3-1),
Tillsonburg (3-0) and Fergus (3-0) in the first four rounds.
•The first two games of the best-of-five St. Marys-Lindsay final are this
weekend, Aug. 15-16, in Port Perry.
The municipal arena staff in Lindsay is currently on strike, which has
resulted in games being moved to other locations. Lindsay’s semi-final home
games were played in Oshawa.