RMC and Queen's renew the world's oldest hockey rivalry in the 30th Carr-Harris Challenge Cup

Tomorrow night at 7:30pm, the puck will drop at the Rogers K-Rock Centre in Kingston, Ont., signaling the start of the 30th Carr-Harris Challenge Cup.

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 Gaels and the Royal Military College (RMC) Paladins. The rivalry actually dates back to 1886 and this will be the 130^th year that this match has been played. The rivalry between the two OUA affiliates is the world's longest standing hockey rivalry and both teams are excited to face off in what both sides believe will be a tough game.

Despite a tough year last season, the RMC Paladins enter Thursday's game with a 3-17-3 record this season.  However, their win total could be much higher as several of their losses have been by only one or two goals and the team is more than prepared to face off against their crosstown rivals.

Bennet Huber (Calgary, Alta.), a rookie forward for the RMC Paladins is looking forward to the experience.

"This is going to be a different game, it is going to be heated and very competitive," Huber said. "It's unique being in the same city with two university teams and Queen's is one of our biggest rivals. I think we have improved a lot this season, and we have something to prove not only to them, but to this community."

Fifth-year RMC goaltender Matt Beirnes (Barries, Ont.) has seen his fair share of Carr-Harris Cups and would like nothing more than to finish his playing career with a Paladins win over their crosstown rivals.

"It would be special to win in my last year, but this game is not only about winning the cup, it's about getting two crucial points," Beirnes said.  "It is still a regular season game to us. We really want to prove ourselves against a good team like Queen's."

However, for Aidan Orbinski (Union, Ont.), an assistant captain and third-year defenceman on the Paladins, there is a little more on the line than just the points up for grabs.

"We're neighbors with a few guys on the Queen's team so we see them quite a bit," said Orbinski. "The competition level will be extremely high and the atmosphere will be exciting. The game isn't just for two points, it's for bragging rights."

On the other side of the city, the Queen's Gaels are gearing up for what is expected to be an exciting matchup. The Gaels currently sit fifth in the OUA East division with a 14-7-1 record on the season, an improvement from last year's 13-12-1 season.

Shawn Boudreau (Kentville, N.S.), a rookie forward from the Gaels, is excited for the turn out.

"Kingston has a huge hockey culture. It's a phenomenal hockey community and I am happy I came here; it was a good choice. The build up from my teammates and the community has me pretty excited to play for the cup."

"It's a little different playing from the visitors bench at the K-Rock, but our coaches have really prepared us for this game, "said second-year Queen's forward Darcy Greenaway (Wilton, Ont.).

Greenaway, who has spent plenty of time in the K-Rock Centre as a Kingston Frontenac, is looking forward to playing in front of a packed arena tomorrow night.

"The fans are what is really going to make this game special. The atmosphere is going to be electric. RMC is a hardworking team and we were upset by them two years ago. Winning the cup this year would big a big deal to us."

For second-year Gaels forward Braden Mercier (Lutes Mountain, N.B.), when the Carr-Harris Cup and a big two points are on the line, friends can become foes quite quickly.

"There are a lot of east coast guys on both teams," said Mercier. "When we are outside the rink, we hang out at each other's places, we are neighbours. After the game we will shake hands, get a few pictures and meet up later. The thing for us is we need this win for home ice advantage in the playoffs. Although the RMC guys are our friends, for 60 minutes they are our opponents and we are going to concentrate on the getting the win".

The trophy itself is named in honour of the Carr-Harris family, which has a long-standing connection with both Kingston universities. Robert Carr-Harris was professor of civil engineering at Royal Military College of Canada 1879 and afterward a professor of general engineering at Queen's University. All of Robert's sons and two of his cousins were cadets at RMC.

The Carr-Harris family also enjoyed playing the game of hockey. Robert's son, Lorne Carr-Harris was born in Kingston, but joined the British Army after graduating from the Royal Military College in 1917. Carr-Harris served with the British Army and was posted to India, and was then stationed in the U.K. in 1924. Lorne was a member of the British Army hockey team which formed the backbone of the British Olympic hockey team at the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France. Lorne played in net, and was a crucial part in helping the team win the bronze medal. He was also member of the British hockey team that won a World Championship bronze in 1924.

The Carr-Harris Challenge Cup trophy itself 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 rivalry is the longest in the world on record, and on Thursday night, the RMC Paladins and the Queen's Gaels will continue to carry on the tradition.

Tickets are $10 and are available at the customer service desk in the ARC until the end of the day on Wednesday. Tickets are also available at the Rogers K-Rock Box office. The night will feature many prizes and giveaways including a trip for two to see the Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday March 12 courtesy of McCoy Bus Service & Tours. The prize pack includes tickets, transportation and tax at a value of over $350. During the first intermission the Queen's Varsity Figure Skating team will be performing their synchro routine.

If you can't make it to the Rogers K-Rock Centre, catch all the action live, beginning at 7:30 pm, on OUA.tv!