It's one of the most anticipated events of the U SPORTS calendar: the Crowchild Classic.

Once a year, the Mount Royal University Cougars and the University of Calgary face off in front of thousands of fans at one of the most recognizable arenas in the world, the Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Crowchild Classic is such a unique event and often unpredictable. Some years, the Dinos have better teams, some years the Cougars do. But none of that matters when the puck is dropped at the Dome. It's about who can rise to the moment. Who can tune out the loud fans when they need to, but also feed off their energy. 

2026 Crowchild Classic Preview

Thursday's games will be the 12th edition of the Crowchild Classic, and the rivalry is as heated as ever. 

Last year's games were a significant disappointment for both the men's and women's teams. The women were narrowly edged by the Dinos in a shootout, while the men fell 4-0. Both Cougar teams were shattered by the losses. 

The MRU women's team comes into Thursday's tilt at the Dome with an 18-5-1 record, putting them seven points ahead of the Dinos for first in the division. The Cougars are also fresh off clinching a playoff spot last weekend. The Cougars also hold a 3-1 advantage over Calgary in the season and have a chance to win it on Thursday. 

Fourth-year forward Kiana McNinch will be playing in her fourth career Crowchild Classic. McNinch has been playing some of the best hockey of her Canada West career lately and will look to keep the momentum. Historically, the women's games have been quite low scoring and often push beyond 60 minutes. McNinch's veteran presence and offensive prowess will be very valuable come Thursday at 4:30.

On the men's side, Mount Royal will be looking for some serious redemption against the Dinos. Last year's loss was a low moment for the Cougars, but also a late-season turning point. Going into the game, Mount Royal was probably the better team on paper, sitting above the Dinos in the standings. Despite the technical discrepancy, Calgary dominated. The Cougars felt like they let their school and supporters down. The loss stung so much that they vowed not to forget what happened. Just outside their dressing room, a poster was hung and signed by the whole team that read "January 31, 2025 Dome vs. Them–NEVER AGAIN!"

Most of the team from last year is back for redemption on January 29. No one on the Cougars is more poised to help them get the result they want than Connor Bouchard. 

The fourth-year winger is on a tear right now and is coming off a nine-point weekend where he set the MRU all-time goals record (in the U SPORTS era). Bouchard is as competitive as they come and would want nothing more than to have his electric play carry over to the tilt at the dome.

It won't be an easy task for the Cougars with a talented Dinos team across the ice. Mount Royal and Calgary currently sit tied for first in the East Division with 34 points each; however, the Dinos hold two games in hand. In the season series, the Cougars are 2-1-1, and the Dinos are 2-2-0.


Crowchild Classic: Fast Facts

WHKY

MRU all-time record at the Dome: 3-7-1

MRU all-time goals for/goals against at the Dome: 14/25

MRU 2025-26 leading scorer: Allee Gerrard (17 points)

Cougars Player to Watch: Kiana McNinch
Dinos Player to Watch: Sydney Mercier

Projected starting goalies
MRU: Scout Anderson
CGY: Amelia Awad

Head coaches
MRU: Scott Rivett (17th season)
CGY: Josh Gosling (3rd season)

MHKY

MRU all-time record at the Dome: 5-3-3

MRU all-time goals for/goals against at the Dome: 29/32

MRU 2025-26 leading scorer: Connor Bouchard (36 points)

Cougars Player to Watch: Connor Bouchard
Dinos Player to Watch: Adam Kydd

Projected starting goalies
MRU: Shane Farkas
CGY: Carl Stankowski

Head coaches
MRU: Bert Gilling (12th season)
CGY: Mark Howell (17th season)

Tickets to the event are SOLD OUT. Fans can stream the game live for FREE on Canada West TV. Puck drop for the women's game is 4:30 p.m., men's game 7:30 p.m. (MST)