For 44 years, the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees and the Carleton Ravens faced off in the annual Panda Game to determine bragging rights among the rival universities in the nation’s capital.

In 1998, the final edition was won handily by the Gee-Gee’s, and it was perhaps that embarrassing 59-17 loss that led, in part at least, to the Ravens folding their football program.
Since then there has been a void as far as “The Big Game” was concerned for the cross-town schools.

There is women’s soccer, which always draws some attention, but never had the impact, or the crowds, that the gridiron games had.

Although there have been some close games, the Gee-Gees have never lost to the Ravens in 16 years of head-to-head action posting a 25-0-7 record.

The Garnet and Grey have a long-standing hockey tradition that dates back to 1889. The Ravens, on the other hand, made a comeback to the Canadian university scene in 2007 after a 33-year absence.  

In the past two seasons, the Ravens have climbed in the standings while the Gee-Gees have fallen. The rivalry has not yet been renewed.

Enter basketball. More specifically, the Capital Hoops Classic.

For the past four years the two schools have met in men’s basketball at Scotiabank Place (formerly the Corel Centre) to give both schools something to get excited about on a cold winter’s night.

The Gee-Gees won the inaugural event, but have dropped the past three to the Ravens, winners of six of the past eight national championships.

“It is fun,” Ravens coach Dave Smart said.

“It’s great playing in that venue and in front of that size of crowd. It’s great for the guys and the atmosphere is electric.”

As far as the Panda Game making a return: Stay tuned.