The Queen’s Gaels men’s hockey team (11-12-3) is looking to pick up valuable points when they battle the RMC Paladins (9-17-1) in the Carr-Harris Cup Thursday night at the Leon’s Centre.

Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm and tickets are available at the Queen’s customer service desk and Leon’s Centre box office. Tickets are $12 for one or fans can get a special four-pack for $30 available at Queen’s customer service.

The Carr-Harris Challenge Cup was initiated in 1986 by the International Hockey Hall of Fame in celebration of the hockey rivalry between Queen’s University and the Royal Military College of Canada which dates back to 1886.  

The rivalry is the longest in the world on record. 

The Carr-Harris Challenge Cup trophy was donated by the Centennial Committee and features the ‘Lennie’ sculpture by Kingston native Joan Belch. It depicts Lennox Irving, the Queen’s player who scored the lone goal in the March 10, 1886, inaugural game between RMC and Queen’s. 

The trophy is named in honour of the Carr-Harris family, which has a long-standing connection with both Kingston universities.

This year marks the 134th anniversary for the rivalry and 34th Carr-Harris Cup game. The Gaels lead the series with a 20-11-2 record but despite winning the Queen’s Cup last season as conference champions, lost to RMC 5-1 in the Carr-Harris Cup.

Queen’s has just two games remaining this season as they host the Ottawa Gee-Gees on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 pm to close out the season. The Gaels enter the week sitting in the seventh spot in the OUA East but can still climb to as high as fifth.

“The Carr-Harris is going to be a big game for us points-wise and then with all the fans and excitement it just adds another level of intensity that we need to bring to the game,” says Gaels captain Patrick Sanvido.

The RMC Paladins have had a historic season thus far. First, they defeated West Point in the annual rivalry game against the Black Knights 3-2 in overtime and then this past Sunday RMC clinched their first playoff berth since 2006 with a 4-3 overtime win against the Ottawa Gee-Gees. 

With two teams flying high heading towards the playoffs, Thursday night’s matchup promises to be entertaining with a near-capacity crowd expected at the Leon’s Centre.