SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- We're less than six weeks away from the first ever AHL outdoor hockey game between the Crunch and Binghamton Senators and the rink over at the State Fairgrounds is starting to take shape.

Crews were working hard out there Wednesday afternoon, starting to lay down a wood frame around what will eventually be the rink. Later, they'll drop a layer of sand inside the wood and the rink will go on top of that.

Jim Hartnett is the project manager for the construction. He's been building rinks for decades, but as a Syracuse native, this one is extra special.

The wood forms should be fully put in by next week. They'll then take off a couple weeks before they start putting the ice down.

The first ever AHL-outdoor game is Saturday, February 20th.