U-Prairie Challenge Winter Face-off

It’s been another exciting season of friendly – but heated – competition with the University of Saskatchewan. While the 2023/24 U-Prairie Challenge season officially draws to a close in the coming weeks, the final Regina event will be held this Sunday, January 7 at the Brandt Centre. The U-Prairie Challenge Winter Face-off will see both men’s and women’s Cougars hockey teams go head-to-head against the USask Huskies, with plenty of local fans in the stands cheering on the home team.

“The U Prairie Challenge is great for our sport as well for the University of Regina,” says Todd Johnson, Cougars Men’s Hockey Head Coach. “Games between these two schools are so competitive. Our goal and hope for this game and all games is for fans to come out and enjoy great hockey and the intensity this rivalry brings.”

Games between these two schools are so competitive. Our goal and hope for this and all games is for fans to come out, and enjoy great hockey and the intensity this rivalry brings. — Todd Johnson, Cougars Men’s Hockey Head Coach

While this weekend is all about hockey, the U-Prairie Challenge is, in fact, a season-long competition across a variety of men’s and women’s events, including soccer, football, volleyball, basketball, track and field, and cross country. The series has provided another great opportunity to highlight the importance of varsity sport to both universities’ communities.

Two men hockey players from opposite teams chase a puck on an indoor hockey rink. — Cougars Men's hockey team celebrate a win at the Co-operators Centre on Oct 21, 2023. Photo credit: U of R Photography

“This season has seen some great moments for our universities with close games and outstanding performances from all our teams,” said Jeff Keshen, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Regina. “The double-header on January 7 will be a wonderful opportunity for our campus and wider communities to gather for a great day of hockey, as we cheer on our Cougars.”

The U-Prairie Challenge Winter Face-off will be held on Sunday, January 7 at the Brandt Centre. Tickets are free for students with valid ID. The final games in the U-Prairie Challenge series (featuring basketball and track and field), will be held in Saskatoon on February 3.

Learn more about the U-Prairie Challenge.

Get tickets here.

Banner photo credit: U of R Photography

About the University of Regina

Set in the heart of the Canadian prairies we are a comprehensive, mid-sized university where the opportunities are as limitless as the horizon. Our campuses are on Treaty 4 and 6 - the territories of the nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda peoples, and the homeland of the Michif/Métis nation. It is our responsibility to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities to build a more inclusive future for all. Our three federated colleges, 10 faculties, 25 academic departments, and 18 research centres foster innovative research with practical and theoretical applications. We are committed to cultivating the potential of our 16,000 students and supporting their health and well-being. We take learning beyond the classroom through work and volunteer experiences to develop career-ready graduates.

Let’s go far, together.