Advertisement 1

Another rousing Crowchild Classic at the Dome

Article content

Standings and rankings be damned.

When it comes to the Crowchild Classic, no matter the records or the hot team. On this night, with the habitual large crowd at the Scotiabank Saddledome and the extra focus on Canada West men’s hockey, it’s anybody’s game every year.

Hence, the 4-4 record in eight Classics.

The Calgary Dinos came into the game rated seventh in the nation after sweeping the previously second-ranked team Alberta this past weekend. But when it comes to this showcase for city supremacy, everything goes out the window.

Article content
Advertisement 2
Story continues below
Article content

After losing the last four Classics, the Mount Royal Cougars got a goal from Ryley Lindgren in 3-on-3 overtime, posting a thoroughly entertaining 5-4 victory. It was also the fourth to require an extra period.

Cougar Connor Rankin skates with the puck during men’s hockey action as the Mount Royal Cougars face off against the University of Calgary Dinos in the 2020 Crowchild Classic as the Saddledome. Thursday, January 30, 2020. Brendan Miller/Postmedia
Cougar Connor Rankin skates with the puck during men’s hockey action as the Mount Royal Cougars face off against the University of Calgary Dinos in the 2020 Crowchild Classic as the Saddledome. Thursday, January 30, 2020. Brendan Miller/Postmedia Brendan Miller/Postmedia

“We haven’t had luck in the Crowchild Classic the last couple of years,” admitted Lindgren. “At the end of the day, to come out with that win, it’s great for our group.”

“It’s such a different energy,” noted Cougars’ head coach Bert Gilling. “The crowd is fantastic. The students for both sides are unbelievable. The environment is awesome. There’s so much energy and what happens is the momentum swings almost get exaggerated. It’s really hard to manage the swings but our guys persevered. All they could do was dig in and find a way to win.”

The men’s game, for the first time in Classic history, was the opener, handing the evening slot to the women. That tilt saw the Dinos score twice in the third for a 4-1 triumph over the Cougars. The eventual winner was scored by Elizabeth Lang, Calgary coming into the game tied for second spot in Canada West.

Final attendance on the night was 10,002 – a record crowd for U Sports women’s hockey.

Article content
Advertisement 3
Story continues below
Article content

The men’s victory keeps them one point behind Calgary, in third spot in the conference standings.

Dino Elizabeth Lang scores a goal on MRU Goalie Cassie Shokar during woman’s hockey action as the Mount Royal Cougars face off against the University of Calgary Dino’s in the 2020 Crowchild Classic as the Saddledome. Thursday, January 30, 2020. Brendan Miller/Postmedia
Dino Elizabeth Lang scores a goal on MRU Goalie Cassie Shokar during woman’s hockey action as the Mount Royal Cougars face off against the University of Calgary Dino’s in the 2020 Crowchild Classic as the Saddledome. Thursday, January 30, 2020. Brendan Miller/Postmedia Brendan Miller/Postmedia

“All you’re trying to do is control your own fate,” added Gilling. “If we win (Friday against the Dinos at Father David Bauer), we can leapfrog.”

The sound you kept hearing in the first period was the puck going off a Mount Royal piece of equipment as the Cougars blocked everything coming their way. In fact, the Dinos enjoyed three power plays over the first 20 minutes, but were outshot 9-6.

Brodan Salmond was the busier of the goalies. The first-year from Calgary was making his fourth straight start in the Dinos’ net, called into action due to an injury to No. 1 guy Matthew Greenfield.

The Cougars took advantage of a power play of their own to start the second period. At the 1:57 mark, after a shot by Jesse Lees knocked the stick out of Salmond’s hand, Chris Gerrie shot the puck into the open side. Less than four minutes later, Hunter Zandee streaked in unimpeded on Salmond and beat him to give the Cougars a two-goal lead. It was 3-0 at 14:04 when an Allan MacPherson’s shot was redirected into the Dinos’ net.

Advertisement 4
Story continues below
Article content
A lone U of C fan is seen in a sea of MRU colours during men’s hockey action as the Mount Royal Cougars beat the University of Calgary Dino’s 5-4 in double overtime in the 2020 Crowchild Classic at the Saddledome. Thursday, January 30, 2020. Brendan Miller/Postmedia
A lone U of C fan is seen in a sea of MRU colours during men’s hockey action as the Mount Royal Cougars beat the University of Calgary Dino’s 5-4 in double overtime in the 2020 Crowchild Classic at the Saddledome. Thursday, January 30, 2020. Brendan Miller/Postmedia Brendan Miller/Postmedia

“The first two periods made the difference,” summed up Calgary head man Mark Howell. “They dictated play. Give our guys credit. I thought they showed a lot of character in the third period. We just can’t play the first two periods like that. It’s a game with a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm.”

After squandering five previous extra-man opportunities, the Calgary special teams finally bore fruit in the third. Just 36 seconds in, Mitch Cook tallied, followed two and a half minutes later by James Shearer, also on the PP.

The tide appeared to turn in the Cougars’ favour after Calgary defender Sahvan Khaira took a five-minute major and game misconduct for a crosscheck to the head. But in a moment that Riley Morris would like to forget, the Cougar goalie skated to the boards to his left to play the puck and whiffed at it, giving Coda Gordon a wide open net and the game was tied.

Oh, and the Dinos killed off the five minutes to boot.

U of C fans are seen cheering during men’s hockey action as the Mount Royal Cougars beat the University of Calgary Dino’s 5-4 in double overtime in the 2020 Crowchild Classic at the Saddledome. Thursday, January 30, 2020. Brendan Miller/Postmedia
U of C fans are seen cheering during men’s hockey action as the Mount Royal Cougars beat the University of Calgary Dino’s 5-4 in double overtime in the 2020 Crowchild Classic at the Saddledome. Thursday, January 30, 2020. Brendan Miller/Postmedia Brendan Miller/Postmedia

A laser from the slot by Sean Richards with 4:25 remaining once again established a Cougar lead and time was running out. But, in keeping with the craziness, Kaden Elder roofed one with 16.2 seconds left after a mad scramble in front of the Cougar goal and overtime ensued.

“It’s obviously not what we were expecting,” said Lindgren. “Credit to them, it was awesome pushback. It’s just a matter of being prepared for these moments. Take a couple of deep breaths and keep pushing. It’s a great feeling to overcome that adversity.

“It’s a game that everyone has circled on their calendar at the beginning of the year.”

Article content
Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Join the Conversation

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

Latest National Stories
    This Week in Flyers