In Mississippi Valley Club Hockey Association action, it’s been tough sledding for local squads of late.

During the Christmas holiday, the Freeburg-Waterloo Raging Bulldogs and Columbia Eagles will renew their longstanding rivalry.

Freeburg-Waterloo (8-8-2) tied Granite City, 3-3, on Thursday. Austin Hopfinger scored twice for the Raging Bulldogs, who lost 7-1 on Dec. 17 to Edwardsville. Hopfinger had the lone goal for Freeburg-Waterloo in that contest. 

The Raging Bulldogs battled Edwardsville again last Monday, falling 12-0, then battled Vianney Dec. 26 at McKendree Rec Center in O’Fallon, falling 3-2.  

This coming Monday, Dec. 30, the Raging Bulldogs will take on Columbia in a 7:30 p.m. match at the Granite City ice rink.   

Columbia (9-3-2) lost 5-3 to O’Fallon on Dec. 17 despite a hat trick from Mason Niedbalski. 

The Eagles battled Belleville on Dec. 23, tying 2-2, then faced Bethalto on Dec. 26 at McKendree Rec Center. The Eagles won 8-2 behind a four-goal night from Jack Reuss.

The leading scorers are Layne Wilkens for the Raging Bulldogs and Reuss for the Eagles. 

The two local teams only meet once this season due to playing in different divisions. Freeburg-Waterloo competes in Varsity 2A while Columbia competes in Varsity 1A.