Crowchild Classic to stream free on Canada West TV - Powered by BioSteel

CALGARY – One of the marquee rivalry nights on the Canada West calendar will be available for fans across the country to watch for free.

The 12th annual Crowchild Classic hits Scotiabank Saddledome ice on Thursday night, as the University of Calgary Dinos and Mount Royal Cougars hockey teams renew one of the fiercest rivalries in all of U SPORTS.

The event has long been announced as a sellout, with thousands of passionate UCalgary and MRU supporters set to pack the ’Dome for what has become one of the most anticipated annual events in Canada West.

The doubleheader begins with the women’s game at 4:30 p.m. MT, followed by the men’s matchup at 7:30 p.m. MT.

Fans can stream both games free on CanadaWest.TV - Powered by BioSteel. Free CWTV account registration is required.

The games will also be featured on Telus Optik TV (Ch. 1997) and streaming online on CBC Sports as featured Canada West Games of the Week. ​ ​ 

Crowchild Classic Game Previews

WHKY: Dinos and Cougars battle for division supremacy

Jan. 29 | 4:30 p.m. MT

The Dinos and Cougars women's teams are set to renew their cross-city rivalry with significant implications in the East Division standings. The teams meet Thursday at the Saddledome before completing the weekend series with a rematch Saturday night at Father David Bauer Arena.

With just six games remaining in the regular season, both programs remain firmly in the mix near the top of the division. Calgary enters the week in second place at 13-5-4 through 22 games for 30 points, while Mount Royal currently sits in first with 37 points through 24 games.

An MRU sweep of the weekend series would clinch the East Division title, while a Dinos sweep would tighten the gap and keep Calgary firmly in contention heading into the final stretch of the season. Finishing first in the division comes with a first round bye in the Canada West playoffs.

Mount Royal enters this year’s Crowchild Classic ranked No. 7 nationally, having won seven of its last ten games. The Cougars have been led offensively by forward Allee Gerrard, who enters the weekend with 17 points in 24 games, and are coming off a home weekend split with Regina.

Meanwhile, Calgary’s success this season has been anchored in the crease. Veteran netminder Amelia Awad and rookie Maisie Cope currently rank first and second in the conference in save percentage, with both sitting among the national top five.

The rivalry has been tightly contested in recent years. The teams have already met four times this season, with Mount Royal claiming three of those matchups. Their most recent meeting came on Nov. 29, when the Cougars earned a 2-1 overtime win.

Historically, Calgary has found success on Saddledome ice, holding an 8-3 all-time record in the building and winning five of the last six Crowchild Classic games.

MHKY: Dinos and Cougars set for crucial battle for playoff positioning

Jan. 29 | 7:30 p.m. MT

While both men’s programs are nearing a return to the Canada West postseason, playoff positioning adds extra significance to this year’s Crowchild Classic.

The Dinos and Cougars enter the week tied atop the East Division standings with Saskatchewan, each sitting at 34 points, setting the stage for a critical showdown as the regular season winds down.

Calgary comes into the contest at 17-5 on the season and ranked ninth in the latest U SPORTS men’s hockey poll. The Dinos are looking to respond after suffering their first back-to-back losses of the campaign prior to the break, a home sweep at the hands of UBC.

Mount Royal enters the rivalry in strong form and is ranked fourth nationally this week. The Cougars have gone 5-1 since the start of the second semester, highlighted by an impressive road sweep at UBC, a home split with Saskatchewan, and a dominant weekend against Regina in which they outscored their opponent 21-3. That included a nine point weekend for star winger Connor Bouchard.

The season series between the rivals has been closely contested, with the teams splitting the first two weekend series. Calgary claimed both series openers before Mount Royal responded with victories in the Saturday matchups.

Last season’s Crowchild Classic game at the Saddledome saw Calgary earn a 4-0 win, giving the Dinos a 6-5 edge in the all-time series.

The teams will finish their season series with a rematch on Saturday, hosted by MRU at the Flames Community Arenas.