Just a couple of games remain on the regular season schedule for local hockey squads as they try to lock in the best possible positioning for the Mississippi Valley Club Hockey Association playoffs. 

The Freeburg-Waterloo Raging Bulldogs (14-8) sit in first place in the MVCHA’s Varsity 1A division.

The Raging Bulldogs picked up a solid 9-2 victory Monday night over Highland. Conner Blair scored five goals for the victors. He now has 24 goals on the season to lead the team.

On Thursday, the Raging Bulldogs won 2-0 over East Alton-Wood River, getting both goals from Ryder Neff. Logan Sherman made 18 saves in net for the shutout. 

Last Tuesday, Freeburg-Waterloo fell 6-5 to Triad despite Blair netting a goal and contributing two assists.

The next game for the Raging Bulldogs is this coming Monday at 7:30 p.m. against Bethalto at the East Alton Ice Arena 

Freeburg-Waterloo concludes the regular season Tuesday at 9:15 p.m. against Triad in East Alton. 

The Columbia Eagles (11-7-3), last year’s Varsity 1A champions, are fifth in the 2A standings – just one point behind Granite City. 

Columbia dropped a 5-3 contest against O’Fallon on Monday. Cam Ax netted two goals for the Eagles – both in the third period. 

Last Tuesday, the Eagles picked up a 7-5 victory over Collinsville. Columbia scored four goals in the third period. Rece Sanderon recorded a hat trick and had two assists. Jack Reuss added two goals and four assists.

Reuss leads Columbia in goals this season with 32.

The Eagles return to the ice Thursday at 7:30 p.m. against Granite City at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex in O’Fallon. 

After that, Columbia battles Vianney at 8:15 p.m. Monday, also at the Rec Plex.

The Eagles conclude their regular season 9 p.m. Tuesday against Belleville at the Rec Plex.

All-stars

The MVCHA recently announced its all-stars for the 2023-24 season, with several locals selected.

In 2A, Columbia’s Jack Reuss and Rece Sanderson were named all-stars.  

In 1A, Layne Wilkens, Cohin Reynolds, Conner Blair, Mikey Gildehaus, Ryder Neff and Logan Sherman of the Raging Bulldogs were selected.