As a lifelong fan of Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies, the upcoming `Battle on Blake' hockey game, set to be played at the Rockies' home stadium of Coors Field, is of extra significance to University of Denver hockey captain Grant Arnold. The senior forward is excited to be taking part in what promises to be an unforgettable evening in downtown Denver's famed `LoDo' district.

"It's going to be an unbelievable atmosphere," Arnold says of Saturday's outdoor showdown with DU's archrivals - the Colorado College Tigers. "There's something special, something pure about playing hockey outdoors and the fact that (the game) is going to be played in a huge venue like Coors Field with so many people watching makes it all the more special."

Arnold grew up skating on various ponds (and golf course water hazards) around his hometown of Centennial, Colo. and also played baseball in the summer months. A standout third baseman and shortstop in Little League, Arnold excelled at both baseball and hockey as a youngster but ultimately chose to pursue the latter sport in his early-teens.

"It was really tough for me to choose between baseball and hockey when I got older and had to pick which sport to get serious about," Arnold recalls. "I still get out and play baseball or softball as much as I can - it's something I really love and it's a sport I really miss playing competitively but, even though I was a pretty good ballplayer, I probably never would've gotten to play at Coors Field if I'd stuck with baseball so I guess it all worked out in the end."

Arnold's favorite MLB players as a child included fellow hockey nut Larry Walker, as well as perennial All-Star Todd Helton, whom he would make frequent pilgrimages to downtown Denver to cheer for. Now 24, Arnold still regularly attends Rockies home games in the hockey offseason.

"I've gone to several games a summer since I was a kid," the veteran left winger says. "It's great - I love going down to watch the Rockies play."

Along with junior forward Trevor Moore, Arnold was able to take part in a ceremonial first pitch prior to a Rockies home game in September of 2015. "That was definitely cool," Arnold recalls. "I was still rehabbing my shoulder at that point (he had surgery between his junior and senior seasons) so Trevor got to throw the actual pitch but it was still awesome to be out there for it."

While baseball and hockey share little in common in terms of gameplay, both sports are rich in history, as is the 66-year-old rivalry between DU and CC. The two teams have met 301 times over the years, including several times in the conference (WCHA/NCHC) playoffs and once in the NCAA Frozen Four (a 6-2 win for DU on Apr. 7, 2005). The 302^nd all-time #DUvsCC showdown promises to offer some of the rivalry's most compelling theater to date as it takes place on the grandest of stages against the most regal of backdrops - the picturesque Rocky Mountains that garnish the landscape beyond Coors Field's outfield walls. While the setting for the #BattleOnBlake will indeed be scenic, the action on the ice will undoubtedly be brimming with intensity as the regional adversaries fight for three points in the ever-competitive NCHC Standings.

"Whenever the Pioneers and Tigers meet up it's going to be a good, physical game," says Arnold. "The rivalry is one of the very best in the country and both programs have a ton of pride. Records go out the window whenever we face one another and we can't wait for the puck to drop on Saturday for the first-ever college hockey game at the Major League park I've been going to all my life."

"It's going to be an unbelievable night."

Tickets to the #BattleOnBlake (puck drop - 6:10pm) can be obtained by visiting Rockies.com/Hockey.