NEW KENSINGTON — The word that best describes the Knoch hockey team this year is balance.

That balance has given the Knights a new outlook and a 7-1 record.

"We are very balanced, from our defense, to our wings, forwards, goaltending," first-year coach Joe Honzo said. "We had eight different kids score goals (in a 9-1 romp over South Park Nov. 9)."

The Knights are coming off a 12-8-1 season a year ago under Richard Justice, who went 20-21-2 in his two seasons. In 2005-06, the Knights failed to win a game.

"We're becoming more of a forechecking team," said Honzo, who also had coaching stints at Mars and Butler. "We want to be more aggressive. The team played a lot of trap last year."

Honzo also wanted to see his team develop more offense, so, in the seventh game of the season, he put defenseman Matt Eshelman on the first line with Neal Donnelly and Evan Gorse.

Donnelly (six goals, nine assists) and Gorse (seven goals, eight assists) each have 15 points through eight games while Shayne Hennessy has 10 points (two goals, eight assists and Eshelman nine points (seven goals, two assists).

Tyler Andrews and Ty Honzo have five points each, including a pair of goals, while Nick Brubach, Brandon McCarthy and Nate Travis also have scored.

Eshelman made an immediate impact on that first line, recording a natural hat trick in a 5-1 victory over Bishop McCort Monday.

The win avenged the team's lone loss of the season, a 2-1 decision on Nov. 12.

"We thought we had the team that could put it all together and do something special," said Donnelly.

"Last year, we had three clutch players. This year, we have more people, more depth," Donnelly added.

"We have three full lines, which is something we've never had before at Knoch," Gorse said. "We knew we could compete, but success is the factor of hard work."

Strong play from goalie Ryan Naples has played a big role in the Knights' success. The senior has a .939 save percentage with two shutouts.

In all, Naples and the defense have allowed 10 goals in eight games.

"We've got kids on this team that have been playing since they were 3, 4 years old. That experience shows," said Honzo.

"We have two players who play with the Junior Pens (Honzo and Eshelman).

"They know our defensive schemes. Alex (Fuerst) and Nick (Transue) are very strong as well," he added.

Again, balance has been the key throughout the lineup.

"We have a strong core from top to bottom," said Naples. "The passion is there and everyone wants to play for each other.

"We're 7-1 right now and leading our division. The goal is to get into the playoffs. Once we get there, anything can happen. It's one game. If you get the bounce, you can do it," Naples added.

With 14 games remaining in the regular season — including tonight's game at Center — there's still a lot of hockey to be played.

The players, however, know they'll be in the mix.

"What we've seen so far is we can compete with anyone," said Gorse. "We solidified ourselves as one of the top three teams after beating Serra (a 4-3 overtime win Nov. 6) and (Bishop McCort).

"We'll go as far as we take it as long as we work hard and play our game," Gorse added.