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The Syracuse Crunch hosts the Binghamton Senators on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 1 p.m. in the first-ever AHL outdoor game, the Mirabito Outdoor Classic, at the New York State Fairgrounds.

The Mirabito Outdoor Classic will make history as the first minor league outdoor hockey game ever played. Outdoor hockey games, which honor the heritage and roots of the sport being played by children on frozen lakes and ponds growing up, have been a proven success at the collegiate level as well as the National Hockey League level, with the NHL’s Winter Classic now becoming a yearly event every New Year’s Day.

The Mirabito Outdoor Classic will feature the hometown Syracuse Crunch (AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets), the AHL’s sixth-longest tenured franchise (16 years-tied) and longest-running independently owned team, against their Interstate-81 rivals, the Binghamton Senators (AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators).

Below is your guide to the game including ticket, parking and day of event information -


GAME DAY - TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE AT THE GRANDSTAND GATE. CASH ONLY.

Tickets are on sale now for the Mirabito Outdoor Classic and going fast! Individual tickets can be purchased for $30 or $40 each. Groups of 20 people or more receive a discount offer (call the Crunch office). 

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 - CLICK HERE
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 (quanities and seating selection is limited)

NOTE: If you are a Syracuse Crunch season ticket holder, your current season ticket for February 20 at the War Memorial will not provide you entry into this game. Please contact the Syracuse Crunch office should you have any questions.


Syracuse Crunch Twitter Page - features daily updates on the happenings at the New York State Fairgrounds
Syracuse Crunch Facebook Page
Syracuse Crunch Photo Gallery - click on the "Photos" tab on the main page - this feature will be updated throughout the project beginning January 4 through February 20

MIRABITO OUTDOOR CLASSIC "FIRSTS"

First Day of Construction: January 4
First Truck Load of Stone: January 5
First Truck Load of Sand: January 14
First Rink Grid Rolled Out: February 8
First Dasherboard Installed: February 9
First Sign of Ice: February 10
First Logo Laid: Center Ice (Mirabito) on February 11
First Goal Crease Painted: West End on February 11
First Zamboni Resurfacing: February 12
First Person To Skate: Michael Folsom (Syracuse Crunch Staff) on February 12
First Media Personality To Skate: Kim Brown (News Channel 9)
First Youth Hockey Team To Skate: Lysander Lightning Squirt House (Reiser)
First Piece of Glass Installed: February 13
First Measureable Snowfall: February 13
First Team Bench Installed: February 14 (Crunch Bench)
First Girls Team to Skate: Camillus U14 on February 15
First Figure Skating Club to Skate: CNY Chill on February 15
First College Team to Skate: Syracuse Orange Women on February 16
First Crunch Player to Skate at Practice: Jordan LaValle-Smotherman
First Pick-Up Game Injury: Will Martin (cut to the face) on February 18
First Crunch Player on the Ice For Warm Ups on Game Day: Kevin Lalande
First Goal in AHL Outdoor History: Alexandre Picard (6:47 of first period, assisted by Michael Blunden)
First Major Penalty in AHL Outdoor History: Jon Mirasty (SYR) & Jeremy Yablonski (BNG) at 1:50 of first period, 5:00 each for fighting
First Minor Penalty Taken in AHL Outdoor History: Mike Radja (SYR) & Paul Baier (BNG) at 3:29 of first period, 2:00 minutes each for roughing
First Team Power Play in AHL Outdoor History: Syracuse (at 4:33 of first period)
First Multiple Point Game in AHL History: Michael Blunden (two assists)
First Game Winning Goal in AHL Outdoor History: David Liffiton (at 19:48 of second period)
First Winning Goaltender in AHL Outdoor History: Kevin Lalande (36 saves, one goal allowed)
First Piece of Glass Removed: February 22
First Dasherboard Removed: February 22




Crunch Preparing For Saturday - News10Now, February 18
Photos of Crunch Practice Outdoors - Syracuse.com, February 18
First For AHL: Crunch Senators To Play Outdoors - Utica Observer Dispatch, February 17
The Skate Outdoors - Syracuse New Times, February 17
Syracuse Womens Hockey Practice - Syracuse.com, February 16
Final Preparations Made To Outdoor Rink - News10Now, February 16
Behind The Scenes of the Mirabito Outdoor Classic - Fox 40, February 16
AHL Weekly: Taking It Outside - theahl.com, February 16
Skaters Try Out Ice Rink - 9WSYR, February 16
Outdoor Classic To Make Ice History - Syracuse.com, February 16
Outdoor Rink Ready - News10Now, February 15
SU Women's Team To Practice Outdoors - Syracuse.com, February 15
Now We're Going Outside - Syracuse.com, February 14
NYI Great Nystrom To Appear - Syracuse Crunch Press Release, February 13
Former Crunch Captain Smith Returns To Take Part In Classic - Syracuse Crunch Press Release, February 12
Sky Diver To Deliver Game Puck - News10Now, February 12
Filling The Rink - Video Footage - 9WSYR, February 10
Local Ice Expert Making Mark on Syracuse Crunch's Outdoor Game - Syracuse.com, February 10
Jessie James To Perform National Anthem - Syracuse Crunch Press Release, February 9
Dasherboards Installed at Fairgrounds - News10Now, February 9
Crunch Outdoor Rink Coming Together - CNY Central, February 9
Crews Preparing For Outdoor Game - News10Now, February 8
Dunkin Donuts Announces Fan Initiatives - Syracuse Crunch Press Release, February 4
Mirabito Classic Just a Couple Weeks Away - NewsRadio 570, February 4
Crunch Partner with Dunkin Donuts - News10Now, February 4
Crunch Plans What It Can, Then Cross Fingers For Outdoor Game - Syracuse.com, February 4
Preparing Rink For Outdoor Game - 9WSYR, February 3
Mirabito Outdoor Classic To Be Televised Live on Time Warner Cable Sports & NHL Network - Syracuse Crunch Press Release, February 3
O'Brien Looking Forward To Taking It Outside - theahl.com, January 28
Syracuse Outdoor Game To-Do-List Changes By The Day - Syracuse.com, January 27
Labatt Blue Syracuse Outdoor Classic Pond Hockey Tournament Details Announced - Syracuse Crunch Press Release, January 21
Bridge Street LIVE from the Site of the Mirabito Outdoor Classic - 9WSYR, January 20
Outdoor Rink Taking Shape - News10Now, January 15
Syracuse Crunch Players and Coaches Get Look At Outdoor Game Facilities - Syracuse.com, January 11
Site Footage and Interview with Jim Hartnett - CNY Central, January 7
Syracuse Crunch Lays Foundation For AHL History - Syracuse.com, January 6
Preparations For Outdoor Rink - 9WSYR, January 5
Local Ice Expert Jim Hartnett To Oversee Rink Build - Syracuse Crunch Press Release, January 5


TELEVISION -

Time Warner Cable Sports - LIVE - 1:00 p.m.
NHL Network - LIVE - 1:00 p.m. (across the United States and Canada)

Pre-game Show begins at 12:30 p.m. 

The Mirabito Outdoor Classic will be broadcast in High Definition.

Bob McElligot - the former Syracuse Crunch play-by-play man returns to Syracuse from Columbus where he is now a member of the Blue Jackets broadcast team. McElligot will provide his well-known high-energy play-by-play for the Mirabito Outdoor Classic.

Danny Gare - known to be one of the greatest Sabres of all-time, the former Buffalo captain comes to Syracuse to provide in-depth color commentary for this historic event. Gare's number 18 is retired in Buffalo and he is a member of the Sabres Hall of Fame.

Brent Axe - a local drive-time radio talk show host for ESPN Radio joins the broadcast team as a rinkside reporter. Axe is well-known throughout the region having been on-air for several years both in the Mohawk Valley and here in Syracuse. In addition to his time on ESPN Radio, Axe can be found weekdays on Time Warner Cable Sports.

RADIO -

SportsRadio 620-WHEN - LIVE - 1:00 p.m. featuring the voice of the Crunch, Joe Brown


Driving Directions to the New York State Fairgrounds - CLICK HERE

The New York State Fairgrounds are located just outside the City of Syracuse off Interstate 690. Follow the road signs along I-690 from either the West or East in order to locate the proper exit for you. As the event draws closer, more defined exits and parking lot information will become available.

From the South - Binghamton/Ithaca/Cortland Area
Take Interstate 81 North into Syracuse, then follow Rt. 690 West. 

Parking at the New York State Fairgrounds on game day will be directed as follows: 

PARKING COST: $10 (Please have money ready upon arriving at the gate to allow for faster traffic flow)

Proceed on State Fair Blvd to GATE 6 and follow the instructions given by parking attendants. In the event that the lot becomes crowded, GATE 2 will then be opened.

New York State Fairgrounds Parking Lot Map - CLICK HERE - Parking lot GRAY will be the primary parking area for general public. Parking lot GREEN will be the parking area for VIP tag holders. NOTE: Crunch 1492 package holder parking passes from the War Memorial are not valid for this event.

 
 

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20 - 8:30 a.m. - GATES OPEN
                                                     9:30 a.m. - Syracuse Fire/Police vs. Binghamton Fire/Police
                                                     10:00 a.m. - Live music, Noisy Boys; Ice sculpting begins near GA Bleacher 3. 
                                                                          Sit on the ice throne and take your photo too!
                                                     11:00 a.m. - Dan Smith autograph signing
                                                     11:30 a.m. - JF Labbe autograph signing
                                                     1:00 p.m. - Mirabito Outdoor Classic: Syracuse Crunch vs. Binghamton Senators
                                                     First intermission - Jessie James, Bobby Nystrom, Rob Ray autograph signing

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21 - Labatt Blue Syracuse Outdoor Classic Pond Hockey Tournament - CLICK HERE FOR EVENT REGISTRATION & INFORMATION

Wayne's Weather Outlook for the remainder of the week  -

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17 - New accumulations between sunrise and sunset will range from a melting trace to up to 1-2", especially over higher elevations, trees, lawns, and cars, and in persistent snow showers. Temp: 33

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18 - Expect another blustery day with considerable cloud coverage and a spray of flurries, light snowshowers and the chance for light freezing drizzle. Temp: 34

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19 - A persistent blustery northwesterly wind flow should keep mostly cloudy skies over much of our area. This chilly wind flow should also keep the threat for snow showers, and flurries in the forecast again for Friday. Temp: 35

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20 - Expect plenty of clouds and flurries to continue on Saturday. There is a chance for some peeks of sunshine in the afternoon. Temp: 35

Based on records from Hancock Airport in Syracuse, here are a few weather numbers you may find interesting and maybe even helpful for driving and dressing purposes if you are attending this fantastic event!

February 20^th over the past 5 years (High & Low temperature and Precipitation)
2005   High 25   Low 2     Snow 1.3”
2006   High 28   Low 14   No precipitation
2007   High 44    Low 18   Rain .11” & flurries
2008   High 26    Low 17   Snow .7”
2009   High 25    Low 13   Snow 2.3”

Average high temperature: 29
Average low temperature: 13
Average snowfall: 2.3”

Finally, if you want to consider a “longer term” average, here are the averages for game day based on the past 107 years…since records began in Syracuse.

Average high temperature: 35
Average low temperature: 16

- Wayne Mahar
Chief Meteorologist, CNYcentral.com
President, Precision Weather Service