With an 8-0 start as of last week, Northampton’s hockey team shouldn’t have much to worry about.

Yet, veteran head coach Brian Ruff has some concerns. The Kids downed Parkland, 7-4, recently.

“We still have some things to do,” said Ruff. “We have things to clean up defensively. In our last game, we didn’t play well defensively.

“We came away with a win, but we have to things cleared up before we get to the playoffs.”

Ruff stated the biggest obstacle defensively for his team is eliminating the opposing team’s offensive chances.

“Instead of giving teams two, three, or more chances, we need to get the puck out of the zone in one try,” said Ruff. “We’re giving teams too many chances to possibly score.

“Our top priority is get the puck out of the defensive zone.”

Offensively, Ruff likes his team’s balanced attack. Gary Raudabaugh is the leading scorer with 28 points (nine goals, 19 assists) followed by Jackson Repetz with 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists), and Ian Brawn with 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists).

In the nets, Ashtyn Dremock hasn’t allowed a goal in six games, while Ty Tomasic has a 2.32 goals against average, and Austin Wolfe has posted a 2.65 goals against average.

In their win over Parkland, Raudabaugh (three goals, two assists), Repetz (three goals and two assists), and Brawn (one goal, four assists) each had five points.

Even though it appears the Kids appear to be led by a few players, Ruff sees the offensive output as a diverse effort.

“We have three solid lines,” he stressed. “They all have been working really well. We don’t anyone on the second and third lines complaining that they should be on the first line.

“We’re pretty evenly talented with all three lines. Each guy knows what he can do, and they are comfortable with it. They are all very easy to coach.”

Ruff believes his team’s key to success will be a consistent, constant effort.

“It’s like horse race where the leader is leading by 10 lengths,” said Ruff. “Even though the horse is in the lead, the jockey is still whipping the horse to not have it let up.

“No matter what our record is, we want to keep pushing.”

The Kids will have four more regular-season games before the postseason begins in March. Those games will be spread out over the next six weeks.

Yet, Ruff isn’t worried,

“Most of our guys are playing travel hockey,” said Ruff. “They will keep busy. We’re not concerned about the long layoff.”

Northampton will be looking to claim another championship. Their last one was two years ago.

Ruff is confident that he and his coaches have the right formula.

“We want to be hitting on all eight cylinders,” said Ruff. “We have a good bunch of kids, and they all jell together. There’s no backstabbing or complaints.

“They all play well together, and we’re taking it one game at a time.”