Article content continued

With the men’s players being rooted from high-level junior hockey, some may have the experience of being branded for this type of an event, but according to MRU men’s head coach Bert Gilling, it’s nothing like the ‘Classic.’

“It certainly is a highlight for these guys,” Gilling said. “This game is louder and has a way better atmosphere than any game they have ever played in their life. It’s always interesting to see the older players guide the younger ones in telling them, ‘No, no, no … you’ve never had a game like this one.'”

Added Howell: “It’s exciting. It’s unique and different. Anytime you can be in that atmosphere that everyone is excited for is great, you know you’re going to get the best out of your players as far as effort and intensity.”

The spirit generated by the fans in MRU electric blue and the Dinos sea of red is an ‘X’ factor neither coaching staffs can control.

“Over the last few years when the numbers got over 10,000 in general attendance, 95 per cent of that attendance is university students wearing their colours, wearing their schools,” said the fifth-year MRU bench boss, Gilling. “This game is a beast of its own.”

Some of the coaching, Gilling says, gets throw right out the window because of the unique setting of the game.

“The passion of the players goes through the roof,” Gilling said. “Watch the first goal of the game, and you’ll see the roof the place get blown off. It’s nothing but energy and adrenaline.

“Sometimes it gets frustrating as coaches, because it’s one of those thing where the emotion just takes over,” Gilling continued. “You can have the world’s greatest gameplan, but when that emotion and adrenaline kick in, those kids are just playing and just going.