SASKATOON — Saskatoon faces off with history on Saturday.

When the world junior hockey championship opens at Credit Union Centre, organizers expect to welcome one of the largest crowds ever to witness a hockey game in Saskatchewan.

More than 12,000 tickets have been sold for Saturday afternoon’s Canada-Latvia tilt. The final number should threaten the attendance record of 12,842 set Sept. 20, during an NHL exhibition game between the Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders.

“We’re still moving tickets,” says Jack Brodsky, president of the host committee. “Excitement is still ramping up and I’m sure we’ll beat the record a number of times.”

Recent renovations increased the building’s seating capacity to 14,659 for this event, and a New Year’s Eve clash between Canada and the United States is virtually sold out. For each of Canada’s other three round-robin games, about 2,000 tickets remain. One corner section in the lower bowl has been reserved to accommodate 420 accredited media.

“After a year and half of intensive planning, it’s so nice to be in execution mode,” says Brodsky. “As far as I can tell, we’re ready to go.”

Between now and Jan. 5, CUC hosts 22 games. Most days feature one matinee game and another in prime time. When playoffs begin Jan. 2, Saskatoon stages three games daily.

In addition to the seating expansion, CUC now boasts a high-resolution scoreboard at centre ice and LED light boards at each end. Organizers have also applied many cosmetic improvements to the venue for this tournament.

“People will notice a big change in the decor at CUC,” says Jones. “It’s not going to look like you’re coming to just another event. It’s going to look very, very special.”

Largest hockey crowds at Credit Union Centre:

12,842 — Sept. 20, 2009: Oilers vs. Islanders, NHL exhibition

12,833 — Sept. 19, 2009: Flames vs. Islanders, NHL exhibition

11,861 — Sept. 18, 2007: Flames vs. Panthers, NHL exhibition

11,612 — Jan. 4, 1991: Canada vs. Soviet Union, world juniors