Motivated by a drop in level, the Freeburg-Waterloo Raging Bulldogs achieved what they set out to do this season. 

The Raging Bulldogs downed Triad in two straight games of a best-of-three finals to capture the Mississippi Valley Club Hockey Association Varsity 1A championship last week. 

Following a 5-1 victory on Feb. 26, the Raging Bulldogs survived a tough game two Feb. 27 in East Alton with a thrilling 3-2 win.

In the game one win, Conner Blair notched a goal and assisted on three others. Ryder Neff added a goal and two assists. Others scoring goals for Freeburg-Waterloo were Cohin Reynolds, Christopher Lucinski and Layne Wilkens. 

Playing well between the pipes was goaltender Logan Sherman, who made 20 saves. 

Game two was much more intense, as Triad was fighting for its season. A total of 15 penalties were called in the contest – nine of them going against the Raging Bulldogs.

Following a scoreless first period, Wilkens netted two power play goals on assists from Neff. Blair scored in the third period on another assist from Neff, and the lead was 3-1. Triad scored a goal a short time later, but Freeburg-Waterloo was able to hold on for the trophy.

Sherman made 32 saves for the Raging Bulldogs. 

The MVCHA evaluates the rosters of each team and the levels of travel hockey amongst players to determine the 2A and 1A teams prior to each season. So, it’s not a guarantee Freeburg-Waterloo will be bumped up to 2A for the 2024-25 campaign despite going 15-2 against 1A teams this season. 

Columbia won the 1A title last season, moving up to 2A for the 2023-24 campaign. 

The 2A finals this season involved hockey powerhouses Edwardsville and O’Fallon, with Edwardsville winning in two games.

“Winning the championship was our goal from the second we found out we were dropped to 1A,” Freeburg-Waterloo head coach Scotty Roberts said. “We asked to be bumped up, but the league wouldn’t allow it. So I told the boys to use it as motivation and go out and play our game and win them all.” 

The Raging Bulldogs finished with a record of 16-8 in the regular season – including a 15-2 record against 1A teams – and 4-0 in the MVCHA playoffs. 

Roberts said his team trailed early in game one of the finals before tying it and getting a go-ahead goal from Lucinski to put the Raging ‘Dogs on their way.

In game two, Roberts said his team was short-handed for about 10 of the 14 minutes in the second period and still escaped thanks to stellar goaltending.

“If not for the incredible play in net by Logan Sherman, we could have came out of that period down by 5-6 goals,” Roberts said. “Sherman kept us in the game, basically won the game himself with his play that period.”

Roberts said his team had plenty of goal scorers to count on this season, led by Blair. The senior finished his Raging Bulldogs career tied for the second most points in team history with Donovan Knuckles.

Blair recorded 28 goals and 26 assists this season.

He also praised the offensive efforts of Wilkens, Neff, Mikey Gildehaus, Reynolds and Austin Hopfinger.

On defense, Neff, Caiden Anderson and Jason Jarlsberg were solid, the coach said, in addition to Zach Bonenberger. He filled in following the loss of Braden Neff to injury in December.  

Sherman played every single game between the pipes, Roberts added, making many big saves along the way.

Roberts said the 1A title was a fun memory, not only for the whole program, but for the coaches. 

“As time was running out, us coaches just stood there thinking ‘Finally, we finally got a championship after our fourth trip there in 10 years!’” Roberts said. “Myself, along with Coach John Rayfield, have been with the Raging Bulldogs since they first came to existence and both are leaving the team going out with a championship. I couldn’t  be happier for these boys. This is a memory they will never forget.”

Roberts said he is leaving as head coach and turning over the reins to assistant Logan Crowl, a former Raging Bulldogs player. 

“I’m thankful that I was able to coach this great program for 10 years and I know I’m leaving them in good hands,” Roberts said.