KINGSTON, Ont. (February 3, 2015) - The 29th annual Carr-Harris Challenge Cup is here, as the Queen's Gaels (11-12-1) men's hockey team hosts the RMC Paladins (0-20-3) at the K-Rock Centre on Thursday night at 7:30pm as a kick-off to FebFest.

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 and RMC, which dates back to 1886. The rivalry is the longest in the world on record. Along with both school's the event is presented by Subway, K-Rock, Downtown Kingston and the Original Hockey Hall of Fame.

Last year, the Gaels were outdone by an outstanding goaltending performance from Evan Deviller of RMC who stole the game for the Paladins stopping 52 Gaels shots,in the 2-1 victory. The loss denied Queen's of tying a team record for wins in a single season and gave RMC their first Carr-Harris Cup title in seven years. Thankfully for the Gaels they were able to reach the all-time wins mark by beating UQTR a few days later at the Memorial Centre.

"Obviously winning this game last year was huge for us and we'd like to do the same to finish off the season the right way," said RMC head coach Adam Shell.The game is always exciting playing at the K-Rock plus the chance to get a win to finish off the year, especially against Queen's, is really important for us."

This year, the Gaels are in desperate need of a win as they currently sit in 6th place in the OUA East division only two points back of Nipissing for 5th and four points behind Laurentian for 4th. Moving into 4th or 5th in the East would avoid a matchup with one of either No.6 McGill, No.8 UQTR or No.9 Carleton who are all in a log-jam tied for top spot with 38 points. 

"It's a critical game for us," said Queen's head coach Brett Gibson. "Any time there is trophy up for grabs you want to be in that picture at the end of the game. The big picture for our program is we're looking to move up and get home ice in the first round of playoffs. In order to do that we have to beat RMC on Thursday and we don't expect it to be easy as was proven last year."

In their only previous meeting this season, the Gaels lit up the Paladins 14-4 on November 8 at the Memorial Centre. Patrick McGillis finished with five points for the Gaels in that game and the 14 goal mark was the highest total for the Gaels in a game since 1985 and highest amount scored vs RMC since 1983. Darcy Greenaway (Wilton, Ont.) and Spencer Abraham (Campbellville, Ont.) have been standout rookies this season for Queen's. The former Kingston Frontenac Greenaway leads all rookies in goals on the season with 15 this year. His 25 points tie him for the team lead with Abraham and rank him fourth amongst rookies. Abraham has been the Gaels quarterback on defence all season long. He currently sits tied for second in points for defencemen with 25 on the season which is also fourth amongst all rookies.

Eric Louis-Seize and Kyle Phillips lead RMC's offence with 23 and 16 points respectively.

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.

In addition to the Carr-Harris Cup, the Gaels also host UQTR at the Memorial Centre on Saturday night at 7:30pm.