CALGARY – The Crowchild Classic is taking a detour to the Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Calgary Flames will host a doubleheader in women's and men's hockey between the University of Calgary Dinos and the Mount Royal University Cougars on Thursday, Feb. 7. The regular season games are part of the Crowchild Classic series, which pits the two universities against each other in 17 games across four sports in 2012-13.

The puck will drop for the women's game at 5 p.m., followed by men's action at 7:45 p.m. Tickets will be available free of charge through the Calgary Flames customer service centre at 403-777-4646, and on both campuses. The Dinos will confirm ticket distribution information at the University of Calgary in the coming days.

“We're thrilled that the Calgary Flames are opening the Saddledome to us and showcasing CIS hockey in this way,” said Dinos athletic director Ron Wuotila. “This will be a unique experience for our student-athletes to be able to play in an NHL facility, and it's a great opportunity to engage the students, faculty, and staff on both campuses to watch the Dinos play with the full Flames entertainment experience.”

“We are very proud to be supporters of all three post-secondary schools in our city,” said Flames President and CEO Ken King. “The Crowchild Classic is a fun and competitive way to enhance school spirit. We are thrilled to welcome all students and athletes from the University of Calgary and Mount Royal University men's and women's hockey teams to the Scotiabank Saddledome for what will be great hockey in this new Calgary rivalry.”

The Calgary Flames support post-secondary institutions in Calgary through the Flames Foundation for Life. Each post-secondary institute's men's and women's hockey teams receive an annual $20,000 donation.

The doubleheader comes on the final weekend of Canada West competition in both men's and women's hockey. Through 20 games, the Dinos men hold a 13-7-0 record and fourth place in the standings while Mount Royal is 4-15-1 and in seventh place.

Hayley Wickenheiser and the defending national champion Dinos women's team hold a six-point lead atop the Canada West standings with a sparkling 16-3-1 record. Through 20 games in their first season of CIS competition, the Mount Royal Cougars sit eighth with a 6-12-2 record.

The University of Calgary has already clinched the Crowchild Classic title for 2012-13 with eight wins, three losses, and two ties in the previous 13 games between the two schools.

Following the Feb. 7 doubleheader, the two Crowchild Classic hockey series will continue as scheduled on Friday, Feb. 8. Men's action will be hosted by Mount Royal at Flames Community Arenas while the Dinos women will host the Cougars at Father David Bauer Arena.

About the Crowchild Classic
The Crowchild Classic is an annual competition between the University of Calgary Dinos and the Mount Royal University Cougars in CIS regular season games across the sports of basketball, hockey, soccer, and volleyball. Each year, the school that wins the most games in the series is awarded 'The Medal' – a 68-kilogram cast iron City of Calgary manhole cover. For more information, visit www.crowchildclassic.ca.

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