NORTH SHORE (KDKA) – The weather could be a factor when it comes to Saturday’s Winter Classic at Heinz Field as temperatures are expected to warm-up and there’s chance for rain.

However, that’s not stopping a full line-up of events at the public outdoor rink outside from moving forward.

It was a morning full of surprises as some of the best college hockey players in the nation showed up to shoot the puck around.

The No. 18 ranked RMU Colonials took the ice at the Community Rink on the North Shore Monday morning.

“This is back to the childhood days. You got the snow flurries going, you got outdoor cold. What more could you ask for? This is what brings you back to your youth,” head coach Derrick Schooley said.

Speaking of youth, the outdoor rink showcased various levels of youth hockey Monday morning.

One anticipated game saw the Mount Lebanon Hornets take on the Peters Township Indians.

Brock Sharbaugh manned the pipes for the Hornets.

“He didn’t seem to be very nervous. He was extremely excited,” Paige Sharbaugh said. “We’ve looked forward to this ever since we got word of the opportunity.”

Of all the gifts Zack Zimmerman got for Christmas, this was the one he enjoyed the most.

“We were talking about our favorite Christmas gifts, all the kids in the house, and he said that this is his favorite Christmas gift. The chance to play out here today,” Tish Zimmerman said.

For hockey players, the chance to play on the outdoor rink is something you dream about and all the players are taking in the entire experience.

A big high school matchup will cap the day’s activities at the outdoor rink as Carrick takes on Taylor Alderdice.