Syracuse Crunch to host the AHL's first outdoor game in February

The American Hockey League is going outdoors.

The Syracuse Crunch announced on Tuesday that it will host the Binghamton Senators in the Mirabito Outdoor Classic on Feb. 20 at the New York State Fairgrounds. The minor league game will be broadcast live by Time Warner.

The idea was the brainchild of Crunch owner Howard Dolgon and follows the lead of the NHL, which will be holding its third Winter Classic on New Year's Day at Fenway Park. The Philadelphia Flyers will take on the Boston Bruins.

Money for the AHL's first foray outdoors is coming from the Crunch, the Empire State Development Corp., and several area companies. It's expected to have an economic impact of close to a million dollars.