2024 Crowchild Classic marks 10 years of U Sports rivalry
The 2024 installment of the annual Crowchild Classic delivered the ultimate fan experience while also showcasing some of Calgary’s best athletes. More than 10,500 students, faculty, staff and community members from Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary raised the roof of the Scotiabank Saddledome on Jan. 24 to cheer on their respective men’s and women’s hockey teams.
The event marked the 10th year of the games between Calgary’s crosstown rivals. While the hockey game at the ‘Dome is one of the highlights of the season, the Crowchild Classic happens all year in other sports too. The Cougars and Dinos meet on the basketball and volleyball courts and on the soccer field. Whichever university wins the most games across all sports wins a medal (a manhole cover) to display on campus for the following year.
On the ice
The men’s team kicked off the double-header with a game that needed a shootout to decide the winner. Ultimately the Cougars would triumph 3-2 with goalie Shane Farkas making a pad save to secure the win. Farkas earned the first star of the night and was awarded player of the game after making 18 saves. In a post-game interview he thanked MRU’s fans who he dubbed “the best fans in the city.”
Read the full men’s game wrap-up from the Cougars.
For the primetime matchup a ceremonial puck drop with mayor Jyoti Gondek, MRU president and vice-chancellor Tim Rahilly and UCalgary president and vice-chancellor Ed McCauley launched the women’s game.
It was a well matched, hard played contest that ultimately saw the Dinos shutout the U Sports national champion Cougars 2-0. Head coach Scott Rivett said the team fell flat but he’s optimistic Friday’s rematch will have a bit more pep. “I think we need to play with a little bit more energy and a little bit more pace.”
While it wasn’t the outcome they were hoping for, Rivett noted that it was still an exciting night playing at the Saddledome. “We couldn’t be more grateful to the Flames for giving the players this opportunity. It’s a highlight marquee event for us every year and we’re fortunate that they give us the chance to do this,” said Rivett.
Read the full women’s game wrap-up from the Cougars.
The Crowchild Classic rematch happens Friday, Jan. 26 Both teams play at 7:00 with the men playing at Father David Bauer Arena and the women at the Flames Community Arenas.
Check out the Cougars schedules for a full rundown of upcoming games.
A few young Cubs also got the chance to skate on the Saddledome ice, joining the Cougars in their pregame skate. 12 year-old Gavin and eight-year-old Griffin joined the men on the ice before puck drop, something Gavin says was “so cool.”
“I wish I could have played in the game, the energy was incredible,” he said, adding that it is hard to put into words how magical it was to be on the ice alongside the Cougars.
For the women’s game Ivy and Kaylee, who are both eight, laced up their skates to join the Cougars. While both admitted to being nervous skating in front of so many people and were worried about falling, they had a much different take after it was all said and done.
“I was nervous but once I got out there I felt way more confident,” exclaimed Kaylee, who also noted how heavy the flag was. Ivy too commented on the weight of the flags and said her nerves went away as she got onto the ice. And when asked about her future with the MRU Cougars in about ten years, she was a bit hesitant as she admitted she’s not too sure how she feels about skating.
In the stands
Playing in the Saddledome on an NHL rink is a dream come true for players but fans in the stands also got the big league feel with giveaways and contests throughout the night, not to mention the epic Jumbotron singalongs. Most notably a student from each school leaves the game with tuition (worth $5,000) for the 2024/2025 school year.
In a game of Peer Pong played on the ice during intermission, Elizabeth Price, a second-year Bachelor of Health and Physical Education – Athletic Therapy student, sank all of her team’s balls into the corresponding buckets to take home the ultimate prize.
She was selected randomly at the game to take part in Peer Pong and when she found out she was going to be participating she immediately started strategizing. “I had a discussion with my partner beforehand trying to figure out if I should do overhand or underhand.” Whatever her strategy was, it worked. Congratulations on winning tuition Elizabeth!
Be sure to check out MRU’s social media feeds for more pictures and videos from the game. Scroll our Tik Tok and Instagram feeds and make sure to tag yourself in our Facebook album.