With his young group playing .500 hockey over the last several weeks, Bradford Bulls head coach James McLean is optimistic about the final 12-game stretch ahead as his team enters the holiday break.

"It starts at the top, we've got good people in ownership who have helped us bring in good kids — the vibe in the room with the players is better than ever, and that snow balls," said McLean, the youngest head coach in the league at 23. "Since the showcase, we've hit our stride and are playing the way I envisioned, with our top guys starting to understand the system."

McLean points to the two-way play of veteran forward Lorenzzo Sullivan as an example.

"Everyone knows Lorenzzo is a fast, skilled guy, but now he's taken on a new understanding of playing from his own zone outward," explained McLean. "Win or lose, he's a plus every single game. He's getting it. Same with the Fernandez-Rodriguez line."

The young bench boss has compiled a respectable 8-13 record since taking the helm of the then-winless Bulls in late October.

"Positivity breeds positivity, and I think in the new year you will see us start to win these games — we're in games, now it's about stacking those wins," said McLean. "Ownership has given us the tools to build something and we're really excited about the future here in Bradford, this season and beyond."