New ingredient fuels Baker's game play

BY SCOTT HADDOW

Sudbury Wolves forward Kevin Baker is oozing confidence right now and it has pushed the slick centre to a whole other level of play.

Baker has been on a romp since the new year arrived. In his first 36 games of the season, Baker recorded 29 points. Over the last two months, in 27 games, the crafty player has produced 31 points.

Baker is feeling proud of himself for his career year and points to this new-found confidence, and his skillful teammates, as the reasons why he's tearing up the OHL.

"I have more confidence now and not afraid to take chances," said the Brampton native. "I am also getting the bounces to go my way. A lot of credit goes to my teammates, especially Ben Pouliot. Playing with him has really helped me and we have good chemistry together. We just seem to be

generating a lot of opportunities on five-on-five, short-handed and on the power play."

Prior to last night's contest against Barrie, Baker was third in team scoring and first on the team with 14 power play goals and seven short-handed goals.

The big year means plenty to Baker's future.

"Putting up big numbers is a big thing for me," said the five-foot-eleven forward. "I would like to go to another NHL training camp in the fall. (Baker went to the Carolina Hurricanes camp last year). I figure the more points I put up, the more opportunities I will get from the NHL. I've been playing strong and if I keep it up, maybe I will get more chances. I've been successful on specialty teams and I want it to carry on."

Baker is a slick speed demon when it comes to creating chances as opposed to a big, burly player that would attack the net like a rogue elephant in a peanut shop.

"Kevin may not be the biggest or hardest hitter out there, but he makes up for it by working hard," said Wolves head coach and GM Mike Foligno. "His two biggest weapons are his speed and shot. When he utilizes them...He can turn on a dime and find ways to score even from bad angles. Kevin has really worked hard in practice and off the ice and it's paid dividends for him."

Foligno almost sees a new player in Baker right now.

"He's playing with that new sense of confidence and it's taken his game to another level," said the bench boss. "When he competes and plays hard, he's a difficult player to stop. We will need him to really step it up in the playoffs. I think a lot of scouts overlooked him last year, but they're looking at him now. I am sure he will get a look with another NHL team."

Baker has excelled slowly but surely since arriving from Owen Sound last season in exchange for defender Kyle Lamb. Baker manufactured 15 points in 26 games with the Wolves last season before ripping up five goals and nine points in the playoffs.

Being with Sudbury from day one of the 2005-06 season has also benefitted Baker.

"I was here from day one this year and it's much different when you're here the whole time," said Baker. "There's no adjustment period. I learned along with the rest of the guys to play as a team from the start."

The new rules have also been a boon to Baker's game, which is based on speed, speed and more speed.

"Yes they have helped," said the centre. "With no more clutching and grabbing, there's more room out there and I can use my speed more. My teammates and I are taking advantage of the new rules. My shooting is really working for me. I am getting some good bounces. I seem to be finding holes in the goalies and my goal total has gone way up. A lot of it comes from just putting the puck on the net, which is never a bad play because you never know what will happen."

Baker knows he's only as good as his last shift and wouldn't mind taking his game to another level for the playoffs.

"There's always things you can improve on," said the skater. "I would like to keep the pace up in the playoffs. Last year, I had some success in the

playoffs and I want to build on that this year. Hopefully, we can go further than we did last year."