SAGINAW -- The Saginaw Spirit will play the Windsor Spitfires in an outdoor game at Comerica Park during the week between Christmas and New Year's eve.

It's game one of an OHL double-header planned at the stadium as part of the "Hockey Town Winter Festival," which will also include youth, college, and AHL games over several days.

The NHL made the announcement Thursday in correlation with the official announcement of the 2013 Winter Classic, which will be held at Michigan Stadium on January first.

Spirit President Craig Goslin said they expect a crowd for both games to exceed 30,000. He said he and the organization could not be more excited.

"This is just thrilling for us," Goslin said. "Our staff, everyone in our office, there's a buzz. It's going to be really great for our community, great for our region, and really our region is going to be front and center on an international stage. It's exciting for everyone involved who's supported us for 10 years."