CALGARY – It is that time of year again, the University of Calgary Dinos will face off against Mount Royal Cougars for the eighth annual Crowchild Classic on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 6:45 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The rematch will be on Friday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. at the Flames Community Arenas.

This will be the first time in the event's history that the women's teams will face off in the later time slot. More than 10,000 tickets have already been sold, and sales will continue through the second period of the women's game Thursday night. All sales are online only, and tickets will not be available at the door. Visit www.godinos.com/cc to pick yours up!

LOSING STREAK SNAPPED
After losing four straight games for the first time all season, the Dinos picked up an important win on Saturday, splitting the weekend against the Alberta Pandas. The win saw the Dinos claim the season series against their northern rival, having already swept them in the fall. The Dinos are currently tied with the Saskatchewan Huskies for second place in the standings, four points behind the league-leading Alberta.

A TRUE CLASSIC
The Crowchild Classic is the largest student gathering in the city for sports, and will look to set an attendance record for women's university sport in Canada Thursday night. The Dinos lead the ultimate crosstown matchup 5-2 in its seven year history, and have won the last two years in a row by one goal decisions, with first star performances by Kelsey Roberts. The Kitimat, B.C. product will become the first netminder in Crowchild Classic history to play in four games. The Dinos' top scorer in the Saddledome series history is Janelle Parent, who registered three goals and three assists in two games. Sage Desjardins is the team's active scoring leader at the 'Dome with three assists in three appearances.

WHO TO WATCH
There will be multiple players to look out for in this year's event, including the Dinos leading scorer Elizabeth Lang, who will be playing in her first Crowchild Classic after last year's matchup due to injury. Lang is tied for fifth on conference scoring with 11 goals and eigth assists for 19 points in 24 contests. With Roberts between the pipes, fans will be treated to one of the top university goaltenders in the country. Roberts began this season making Canada's National Women's Development Team and dressed in a three-game series against the United States in August.

SCOUTING REPORT
vs MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS
Game Info Thursday, Jan. 30 at 6:45 p.m. – Scotiabank Saddledome and Friday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. – Flames Community Arenas
2019-20 Record 11-13-0, 5th in Canada West
Leading Scorer Anna Purschke (9g, 7a)

NOTES

• The Dinos have won six of their last seven matchups against the Cougars dating back to November 2018
• The Cougars also snapped a losing streak on Saturday, defeating Lethbridge 4-3 after losing five straight games
• The Cougars are still in the fight to clinch a playoff spot while the Dinos fight for placement, aiming for a first-round playoff bye and the right to host the conference semifinal
• Mount Royal has three goaltenders who have played seven or more games this season, led by Cassie Shokar who has dressed in 10 contests
• Mount Royal's last win at the Scotiabank Saddledome came in 2017 in a 3-1 win over the Dinos

UP NEXT
After this week's Crowchild Classic, the Dinos close the season with a home-and-home meeting with the Lethbridge Pronghorns. That series will start Friday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Nicholas Sheran Arena in Lethbridge, with the rematch back in Calgary on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. at Father David Bauer Arena.