Siedem and Ubertaccio give Madison High big postseason potential

After his transfer from Avon Old Farms, sophomore forward Jason Siedem netted 13 goals in just six games. (Tom Horak)

The Madison High School boys ice hockey team was off to a solid start to the 2018-19 season, going 3-2-3 in the first eight games. Then Jason Siedem was finally eligible to play, and the team went on a tear with him inserted in the lineup.

Since Siedem’s Dodger debut Dec. 26 against Scotch Plains-Farnwood, Madison has gone 9-1-1, including a nine-game unbeaten streak that was still active through Jan. 25.

Siedem, a sophomore, does not believe correlation implies causation in this instance, however. “It was hard ’cause you want to be out there playing,” Siedem said, “but it was nice to see they picked up a lot of wins without me, without a player on their team.”

Winning games isn’t a foreign concept at Madison. In the 2017-18 season, Madison won the Halvorsen Cup with a 5-0 victory over West Morris. According to head coach Dave Hansen, however, the team could have accomplished so much more.

“They won the Halvorsen Cup, and I felt they were OK with that,” Hansen said. “There was more in the tank. Falling to Ramsey in the first round, they had more incentive to know they could go further in the state tournament.”

Madison moved into the Mennen Division, alongside perennial contenders such as Randolph, Morris Knolls and Chatham. While Hansen said he was confident in the returning roster, he thought his players had some “cold feet” with the competitive conference but needed some time to build chemistry and figure out the team’s desired system.

Hansen said a big part of the team’s success, especially in the early going, was the play of junior goaltender Matt Ubertaccio. In the first eight games of the season, Ubertaccio had one shutout and made at least 30 saves three times. He has posted a total of six shutouts this season.

“Ubertaccio in goal has been a huge benefit for us,” Hansen said.

Siedem, who is committed to play collegiate hockey at Boston College, transferred to Madison from Avon Old Farms and was required to sit for 30 days, according to an NSJIAA rule.

While he couldn’t play in games, he was able to practice with the team and attended every game to cheer on his teammates.

“I got to work with everyone in practice, and I got a feel for how everyone played, and they got a feel for how I played,” Siedem said about his time on the sidelines. “We didn’t know how it would work out, but it ended up being a smooth transition, so it was great.”

He made his first appearance for the team against Scotch Plains-Farnwood. Siedem scored four goals and added one assist in the team’s 10-1 victory. It was the first time Madison topped 10 goals in a game in the 2018-19 season.

The sophomore followed that game up with a two-goal, one-assist effort in a 7-1 victory over Morristown-Beard, which was ranked No. 11 in the NJ.com top 20 rankings.

“I have to give a lot of credit to my linemates,” Siedem said. “They’ve been able to find me whenever I’ve been open, and I’ve been able to find them. We’ve had great chemistry, and that’s been a big part of my success so far.”

In six games, Siedem is third on the team with 13 goals; he also has eight assists, for a total of 21 points. He has four games in which he has scored at least two goals. In a 10-0 victory over Wall, Siedem had seven points on three goals and four assists.

“He’s an extraordinary, phenomenal hockey player and great individual as well,” Hansen said. “He knows where everyone is on the ice. He moves the puck well. His head is always up. He’s a very physical player. He’s a key factor.”

On Jan. 14, Madison took on Randolph, the Public B runner-up in 2018 and perennial contenders for a state championship.

Madison won the game, 3-2, and Siedem scored one of the goals.

“That game was really high-paced, fast game,” Siedem said. “We knew they’re a really good team. We knew we had a good team, and we’re just as good as them. We went in with high expectations and confidence. It was a back-and-forth game. It was good we were able to come out on top.”

“I think that might’ve been the best game I’ve ever coached,” Hansen said. “We played a full 45 minutes. We were mistake free. When you play Randolph, that’s the way you have to be. They have a very talented team. You don’t know who the first, second or third line is, and they go on all cylinders.

“We moved the pucks out on the first try,” he added, “and we forechecked hard, which made a lot of turnovers on their side.”

Against Randolph, Ubertaccio made 19 saves, and Hansen said he was a key to the team’s success.

“Matt was well-prepared,” Hansen said. “You could see it in warmups. He was focused. He was communicating with defensemen. He’s a very strong influence as a captain and leader. When he speaks, the boys listen. They really listened in that game because it worked.”

Madison has been impressive thus far in the season, but the journey is not over.

Unlike the 2017-18 season, Hansen wants his players not to be happy with good enough, but to be looking for a deeper postseason run.

“I’m just trying to emphasize one game at a time,” Hansen said. “A lot of good teams are peaking right now. We had a few injuries in the first few games of the season. We have a full squad now. I’m trying to tell them to take it in stride and have fun. If you are on your heels and thinking you’re going to lose, it’s not going to be fun.”

The message seems to be clear to Siedem.

“I think we have to stay dedicated and stay committed and know we haven’t accomplished anything yet,” he said. “We have to bring our best hockey to the playoffs if we want to have a good finish to the year.”