Northampton’s hockey team is in the midst of a two-week hiatus from play in the Lehigh Valley Scholastic Hockey League (LVSHL), but the Kids will be faced with a stiff challenge when they return to play.

Head coach Brian Ruff knows his team will have a test ahead of them as they strive to be one of four teams in the LVSHL playoff picture. The Kids began their two-week break tied with Becca/Central for second overall (6-4-1, 13 points). They will have three games remaining when they return.

“We want to get back to the playoffs,” said Ruff, whose team missed the mark last season for the first time in 15 years. “We will also have to see how the other teams play when we are off.

“But we know we have to win our next three games when we come back in order to stay in the race.”

The Kids have been paced by Garrett Russell (team-high 28 points), Chris Croll (23), Andrew Hozza (21) and Derion Ruch (17).

“We have a bunch of guys who really have played well,” said Ruff. “Our seniors have stepped up and our younger guys have really picked up their pace. Andrew Hozza has done a really good job for us.

“Mason (Ruff) has really developed into a true defenseman for us. He has done a good job getting the puck out of the zone.”

Ruff sees goalie Brian Narkovich continuing to develop in the nets.

“He (Narkovoch) has been hot and cold,” added Ruff. “He is a big, young guy who is learning and takes up a lot of net. We believe he is ready to step up his game for us.”

Ruff believes his club is meshing together well. The Kids began the season with a handful of seniors and many newcomers looking to find the right identity and chemistry. He also cited the play of the line of Ruch, Luke Brunst, and Nick Herman, who have formed an effective second line for the Kids, who will meet Emmaus, Becca/Central and Southern Lehigh in their final three games that will begin Jan. 23.

“I think we are coming together at the right time,” he said. “It is good to have an effective second line. We now have two lines that can score.

“We just have to keep battling and we know we have some work ahead of us.”