On the eve of the National Hockey League finally ending the lockout, the Lehigh Valley Scholastic Hockey League returned to action after the holiday break.

Jeremy Hoffer staked the Emmaus ice hockey team to an early lead with two first period goals, and Michael Smoker nearly held a shutout, as the Green Hornets beat Bethlehem/Central Catholic 5-1 last Monday night in their first game after the long holiday break.

Emmaus entered the break 8-2-1, and in second place behind Parkland (10-0-1) in the pure division. Becahi/Central (4-6) is in a tight race with Easton (4-5) for second place in the non-pure division behind first place Northampton (6-5-1).

Head coach John Heckenberger is happy with his team's performance so far this season, and feels that they can clinch a playoff spot for the first time in three years.

"We have the core of players back from last year," Heckenberger said. "They're very familiar with each other. It's a good mix of kids, and we have fun."

Heckenberger's team looked like the one that would break open the scoring early on as they put four straight shots on goal, and forced Michael Smoker (18 saves on 19 shots) into action.

But the Green Hornets cashed in on their opportunities.

Emmaus had three different scorers find the net in the second period, and the Green Hornets took a commanding five goal lead with Nicholas Capizzi and Chad Lawrence both scoring with under a minute remaining.

Emmaus outshot Becahi/Central 30-19, but Charles Varga (25 saves on 30 shots) did his part to keep his team in the game.

Reid Seifert broke the scoring drought with a little over a minute to go on a breakaway power play goal. The pass came from Sean Schirripa.

With about five games to go, Heckenberger is hoping for solid play and a nice little run into the postseason.

"We have a pretty good team," noted Heckenberger. "I think we can get there (the playoffs). In the non-pure division, we should be right in the mix."

The next game is against Parkland on Friday night at the Lehigh Valley Ice Arena at 6 p.m.