The Norwin High School hockey team is having fun.

And why not? The Knights are relishing their fast-paced, aggressive style. And, more importantly, they're winning.

In the early stages of following up a mediocre 8-12-2 campaign, Norwin is 2-0 after victories against Fox Chapel and State College to open the season. And the Knights are doing it playing the type of hockey they like to play.

"I except us to have more fun this year," senior winger Anthony Maroadi said. "That's what you play sports for, so you can have fun with the team. The hard work will pay off in the long run. If you work as hard as you can in practices, the games are where you're supposed to have fun. If everybody's having fun, everything will fall into place."

Coach Denny Zeravica has been happy with what he's seen from his team thus far, not only during the two regular-season games but in the eight preseason contests Norwin played.

That's been "fun" in and of itself, but the way Zeravica wants the team to play makes it even moreso.

"He wants us to run more of a throw the puck into the zone, crash the net, more of a hard forecheck, more of a fun offensive style," Maroadi said.

"We don't have a trap or anything; we play a puck-possession and pressure game is the best way to say it," Zeravica said. "I have our team pushing forward as much as possible. We don't like a defensive style.

"Defensively, we're fundamentally sound and offensively, we as a team like to have fun -- push for goals, push for offense, push for puck possession and get as many shots as we can. We're not a team that will be dropping back into the defensive zone. We're always going forward."

But don't mistake the Knights having "fun" for them not being dedicated or willing to put in maximum effort.

"I think the kids all have great attitude toward working hard, and everybody seems to be working toward a common goal," Zeravica said. "Everybody's putting in 100 percent."

The tone is set by the team's leaders. Senior defenseman Ralph De Stefano serves as team captain, and Maroadi and junior Neil Stewart are alternate captains.

Maroadi was an all-star and the team's leading scorer last season with 36 points in 20 games. His 15 goals were tied with Stewart for the team lead. Junior Nico Vecchio was the Knight's third-leading scorer and was second in assists.

Centers Stewart, Vecchio and senior Kevin Backoefer ensure Norwin is strong down the middle at that position.

"We have three solid centers who work hard and are pretty good in the offensive and defensive zones," said Maroadi, who skates on the Knights' top line with Stewart and freshman Dan Merz. "They play both ways and play them well."

Norwin has been rotating two sophomores in goal, Ryan Boccabella and Scott Cromling. Boccabella was the backup last season.

"They just both use the competition of the other to make themselves better," Zeravica said. "They're always helping each other out, trying to make each other better. There's no attitudes. They have a really good working relationship between both of them."

That type of harmony is a theme for Norwin. The Knights have a combination of experienced seniors and up-and-coming freshmen, and Zeravica has been pleased with the dynamics between them.

Maybe everyone gets along with each other because the Knights are winning and playing the way they want to. But as much fun as run-and-gun hockey is, any style or system can be enjoyable if it brings results. That's because none of it is as much fun as winning. And Norwin wants to do as much of that as it can.

"Last year we had a shaky season. So now making it into the playoffs and winning our section [title] would be a good way to redeem ourselves," Maroadi said.

"And, two, would probably be to go to the [Mellon] Arena {site of Penguins Cup semifinals and finals], and, three, hopefully go to the finals and win it."

Mike White's "High School Sports Edition" videos are featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.