For Northampton, it has been all about timing in the Lehigh Valley Scholastic Hockey League.

The Kids, who started slowly in the revamped LVSHL that will have one division instead of two, won their fifth-consecutive game Tuesday night and clinched a playoff spot in the process with a commanding 8-1 victory over Liberty/Southern Lehigh.

Derrick Wruble and Anthony Belsky has two goals apiece in the crucial victory that also was their fifth in their last six games and evened their record to 6-6-2 overall for a total of 14 points.

In the process, they gained the fourth overall spot in the newly structured LVHSL. Beca/Central was beaten by Emmaus, 8-6, and thus they were eliminated from the fourth spot as they finished with 13 points.

Over their past five games, the Kids truly turned the tide as they have outscored their opponents, 33-15.

The Kids will meet undefeated and top-seeded Parkland in a one-game semifinal playoff Friday night at the Rinks at Lehigh Valley at 7:45. Second-place Phillipsburg also will meet third-seeded Emmaus in the other one-game semifinal on the same night.

In their two meetings this season, Parkland defeated Northampton in both games, 7-2 on Nov.4, and 7-0 on Dec. 9.