The first-ever outdoor American Hockey League game is days away. The Syracuse Crunch and Binghamton Senators take the ice Saturday. Our Allison Lazarz got to test out the ice Tuesday and has more on the final preparations going into this historic game.

ONONDAGA, N.Y. -- It's history in the making-- literally. The outdoor rink at the fairgrounds will host the American Hockey League's first-ever outdoor ice hockey game Saturday. And the final prep-work goes on, rain or shine or snow.

"We just cope with it and do the shoveling and work by Mother Nature. That's all. Now we're putting the finishing touches to the players' and penalty boxes and then tomorrow, we'll be putting the nets on the end of the rinks," said Donald Mosher, the rink installation supervisor.

While the finishing touches are made, youth hockey groups, the SU women's ice hockey team and even members of the media were invited to cruise on the historic ice.

And for some more potential history in the making:

"We're confident that come Saturday we'll be able to pack this place. We're shooting for an American Hockey League record of 20,672. We're close right now and we're looking for one more push to put us over the edge," said Jim Sarosy, the senior vice president for the Syracuse Crunch.

It's actually a good thing that dozens of groups have tested out the ice, because organizers say the more people who test out the ice before Saturday, the better.

"The more the ice is skated on the better it will be as we get closer to game day. And then, even besides that, it was important for us as a team to really share this with everyone," said Sarosy.

Even those building the rink say the best part about having the facility is being able to share it with others.

"When you see the kids out there skating, enjoying themselves and when you have a good game like it's going to be here Saturday, that's the enjoyment," Mosher.

The game between the Crunch and the Senators is at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Tickets can be purchased in a number of different ways:

1.) Syracuse Crunch Office on the second floor of the War Memorial on the Montgomery Street side of the arena

2.) Any area Ticketmaster outlet, including the Oncenter Box Office on the first floor of the War Memorial on the State Street side of the arena

3.) Ticketmaster online - ticketmaster.com

4.) Over the phone by calling the Syracuse Crunch at (315) 473-4444

5.) Binghamton area - visit the Binghamton Senators office at Broome County Arena

6.) Various Central New York Quickway and Mirabito store locations (quantities and seating selection is limited)