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Ice Sled Hockey

Ice Sledge Hockey (or as it is called in the US: ice sled hockey) is one of the more popular events of the Paralympic games, and it’s easy to understand why. This highly physical sport requires impressive physical strength and fearlessness. In this blog post we explore the sport’s history, equipment, and feature the full version of “Ice Warriors: USA Sled Hockey” from PBS.

History

Introduced to the sports world in the early 1960s, Ice Sledge Hockey came to fruition when some Swedish men decided to find a way to play ice hockey despite their physical impairments. They designed sleds and hockey sticks which would allow them to maneuver on the ice while effectively playing hockey.

Basic Game Play

  • An ice sled hockey game is broken down into three periods, with each period lasting for 15 minutes. In between periods is a 15 minute intermission.
  • Each team can be comprised of 13 players and 2 goal tenders. Six players from each team are permitted on the ice, including goal tenders.
  • If the game is tied at the end of regulation time, a five-minute overtime period begins. The game ends either at the end of the 5 minutes or when the first goal is scored, with the scoring team being the victor. If the game is still tied after this period, Game Winning Shots Procedure comes into place. Three different shooters from each team will take alternate shots until a decisive goal is scored.

At The Paralympics

Ice Sledge Hockey first appeared at the 1994 Winter Paralympics in Lillehammer with Sweden, Norway, Great Britain, and Canada competing. Beginning with the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, the introduction of mixed teams allowed women to also compete with men in the event; however, no women competed in 2010. No women are slated to compete in 2014, either.