AUBURN – Quick, name the team in Western Class B with wins over Gardiner (4-1) and Cape Elizabeth (4-2) that’s sitting first in the latest Heal Points?

Nope. Guess again.

The Leavitt Hornets.

No kidding.

Leavitt, a perennial contender for home-ice advantage in the first round, has proven early this season that it deserves mention among the Class B elites – at least for now.

Part of the reason?

“We don’t have any of the chest-thumping issues we’ve had,” coach Ron Rouillard said. “In the past, we’ve had some players who have cared more about what they’re doing than they do about the team.”

Rouillard’s three captains – his son, forward Steven Rouillard, defenseman Zack Chouinard and goaltender Richard Thibault – are three other big reasons the Hornets (4-1) have found success.

“The past couple of years, we’ve had a lot of talent, but just not everything there with the attitudes and everything else,” Steven Rouillard said. “The last couple of years, that’s all gone away, but the talent is still here.”

Rouillard is far and away the team’s offensive leader, but he’s careful not to focus too much on that part of the game.

“I try to do the best I can, but I want to win,” Steven Rouillard admitted. “That’s what it comes down to for everyone. I don’t go out there to score goals. I go out there to play hockey and enjoy it. I couldn’t do what I’m doing without my teammates, either.”

The loneliest position in hockey is easily the goaltender. But even Thibault has found that the renewed sense of teamwork is making him a better goalie.

“The atmosphere of the team has gotten better over the years,” Thibault said. “This year we have much better teamwork.”

Thibault was quick to praise his defensive teammates – including Chouinard.

“They’re definitely clearing the front,” Thibault said. “That’s something I didn’t have before.”

Despite the early-season success, the Hornets are aware that they need to keep an even keel. The schedule isn’t going to get any easier, and it even includes a chance to avenge a season-opening loss to York.

“We can’t get cocky at all,” Chouinard said. “We have to go into every game thinking that the team we’re playing is at least as good as we are.”