Longtime Northampton head hockey Brian Ruff knows fast starts can be deceiving.

Still, he feels pretty confident about his team’s 6-0 start and atop the Lehigh Valley Scholastic Hockey League (LVSHL), and also realizes his short time to appreciate it.

“We’re doing very well,” he said. “We believe we are in good shape, and believe we have a very good chance in the playoffs.

“Between this year and next year, we will lose 20 kids. So we have a small window to get some things done.”

The Konkrete Kids only lost three seniors from last year’s roster.

Senior Alyssa Wruble, who will continue her hockey at the University of Maine next winter, is back, along with leading scorers Myles Dutt, Ryan Wruble, and Braden Pychinka.

“Ryan Wruble recently had five goals against Easton,” said Ruff. “Braden Pychinka also is having a big year.

“Alyssa is the playmaker. She sets up things. (Alyssa) is scoring this year, but she really enjoys setting people up.”

Goaltender Noah Smargiassi is back after a banner season last year, and Noah Wolfel is a capable backup.

“Noah is top notch,” beamed Ruff. “He’s playing well, and he should have a big year for us. He can really set the tone out there.”

Jake Reese is on the backline in front of Smargiassi along with Wyatt Cobb and Austin Ruff, all three underclassmen who already have made their presence felt.

Ruff noted that his team along with the majority of teams in the league have been COVID free. Phillipsburg hasn’t been allowed to play because of regulations involving crossing state lines.

“We had one situation where a player had to be quarantined because of someone else playing on another team with him,” said Ruff. “It really hasn’t been a situation at all. We have been working with the schedule the way it is written. We have made some adjustments.”

Parkland perennially has ruled the league, but Ruff doesn’t see the Trojans as a powerhouse.

“Parkland became normal, and that’s a good thing,” he said. “The Saints, the Beca/Central team, is very good. Phillipsburg was supposed to be one of the better teams.”

The Kids can widen their margin and get a better gauge on themselves when they meet the Saints Friday night with a 7:45 start at the Lehigh Valley Ice Rink.

“It’ll be a good game,” said Ruff. “It can tell a lot about both teams.”