Sled Hockey is Thrilling for Spectators and Challenging for Athletes

On 12 March, 2018, I watched with fascination as Team USA played Czech Republic during the second preliminary round game in Gangneung Hockey Stadium. Paralympic Sled Hockey is a physical game with many exciting moments as pucks are passed, stolen and shot toward goals. Pay attention or you will miss the fast-paced action! 

Fans were polite, applauding for both teams and expressing disappointment when a goal was missed or player overturned his sled. 
Game SUMMARY and STATS

Team USA was victorious in this preliminary game scoring 10-0 against its opponent. Spectators expect thrilling semi-final games today, hometown favorite Team Korea versus Canada this afternoon, and Team USA versus Italy tonight! 

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 View video and read MORE about Para-ice hockey from Paralympics.org

Para ice hockey follows similar rules to its able-bodied version, with the main difference in the equipment used. Swap ice skates with sledges, and two hockey sticks instead of one, and you pretty much have Para ice hockey.

It is one of two team sports at the Paralympic Winter Games, featuring fast-paced and physical action that makes it a spectator favourite.

History

Para ice hockey was invented at a rehabilitation centre in Stockholm, Sweden, during the early 1960s by a group of Swedes who, despite their physical impairment, wanted to continue playing hockey. The sport made its Paralympic debut at Lillehammer 1994 in Norway.

In 2016, the sport was renamed and rebranded from IPC ice sledge hockey to Para ice hockey, and is governed by World Para Ice Hockey.

The competition

As in ice hockey, each team attempts to outscore its opponent by shooting the puck across the ice and into the opposing team's goal while also preventing the opposing team from scoring. Six players (including the goalkeeper) from each team are on the ice at one time.

The competition is a mixed team tournament, in which women can play alongside men. There are three 15-minute periods with 15-minute breaks. The match goes into overtime if the score is tied after the third period. If there is no goal in overtime, penalty shots are applied.

Equipment

Players sit in specially designed sledges that have two hockey skate blades. Each player has two sticks with metal pics on the butt end that allow players to propel themselves. Goalkeeper wears leg pads, body pads, a helmet with a visor and a catcher glove to protect the athlete from pucks flying up to 100 km/h.