Northampton’s hockey team found out how much of a difference a few weeks can make.

Not too long ago, the Konkrete Kids were battling for a playoff spot in the Lehigh Valley Scholastic Hockey League (LVSHL). As of this week, Northampton is sitting atop the LVSHL with an overall 11-1 record, and they will be the top seed in the upcoming league playoffs.

Northampton will play Nazareth (7-4) in a single-game, semifinal elimination in the opening round of the league playoffs March 2. Southern Lehigh (8-3) will meet Bethlehem (7-3) in the other single-elimination, semifinal. There will be a best-of-three series for the finals.

The Kids won the league title in 2021, and they also took the top spot in 2018.

“We got ourselves locked into the top seed,” said Kids head coach Brain Ruff. “This has been a team that has really worked together all season. After our loss, our kids really turned it up, and they had their minds set to be the top seed.

“There is a great chemistry on this team, and they really care and support each other.”

Lorenzo Tita is the league’s third-leading scorer with 29 points (20 goals, nine assists). Rounding out the top ten are Gavin Mollenkof, who is seventh (11-12-23), and Ryder Ault, who is ninth (11-10-21).

Goalie Bailen Smarigassi is ninth in the league in goals-per-game against average with a 2.09 mark and one shutout to go along with his 10-1 record.

The Kids have 71 goals – second to Bethlehem’s 73 – scoring 15 in the first period, 26 in the second, and 30 in the third.

Besides the varsity team’s success, the Kids junior varsity and middle-school teams are first in the league and their youth team is in second place.

“We’re very happy with all our programs right now,” noted Ruff. “Our lower teams are playing very well, and we have much interest in our program. Our numbers are good, and we have a good foundation for the future.”

As for the present, Ruff has a good feeling about the postseason.

“Our kids know what is at stake,” he said. “We have the type of team that can get to the finals, and we believe we can win another title.”

Ruff also stated that there will be a “Try Hockey For Free Day” at the Bethlehem Municipal Ice Rink, Saturday, Feb. 25 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. To register, go to www.tryhockeyforfree.com.