SYRACUSE - In a first-ever setting with a record-breaking crowd, the Syracuse Crunch beat the Binghamton Senators 2-1 on Saturday in the AHL Outdoor Classic at the New York State Fairgrounds.

The game marked the first time an American League Hockey contest had been played outside, and an AHL-record crowd of 21,508 saw a tight battle between the longtime regional rivals.

After Alexandre Picard put Syracuse up 1-0 in the first period, Josh Hennessy tied it for Binghamton on a shorthanded score in the second. But Dan Liffiton put the Crunch back on top in the final minute of the period and goalie Kevin Lalande made it stand with 36 saves, including a close-range shot in the final seconds of the game with Binghamton playing 6-on-4 due to a power play and its goalie pulled.

The win keeps Syracuse (24-27-3-3) within close range of a playoff berth while the loss puts Binghamton (22-27-3-2) farther behind in the chase.

Fans were treated to much more than just a good game as the pregame entertainment featured country singer Jesse James singing the national anthem, a flyover by a pair of F-16 fighter jets and a skydiver landing on center ice with the ceremonial first puck.