An online battle of the words between Clarkson University and St. Lawrence University heated up Wednesday in the hours prior to the men's hockey showdown at SLU's Appleton Arena.

The universities' official Twitter accounts -- @ClarksonUniv and @StLawrenceU -- exchanged good-natured barbs throughout the afternoon.

The salvo, planned in advance by the two schools, wrapped up late in the day with words about how the North Country benefits from the traditional rivalry and a reminder to bring non-perishable food items to donate to Face-Off with Hunger last night. Clarkson took the game 4-1.

Watch for the Twitter action between the two hockey powers to heat up again this weekend, in anticipation of Saturday night's game.

The Golden Knights will battle the Saints in the Festivus Faceoff in Lake Placid at 7:30 p.m. on the Olympic Ice at the 1980 Herb Brooks Arena.

Advance tickets are available at the Olympic Center Box Office.