FEMALE NARRATOR: An AMI-tv digital exclusive.
[MUSIC...]
MALE NARRATOR: Level Playing Field.
Sport Explained: Para Ice Hockey
FEMALE ANNOUNCER: Para ice hockey rinks
are traditional ice hockey rinks
but are converted to be accessible for sledges.
The ice surface is 60 metres long by 30 metres
wide and is surrounded by a wall called boards.
There is a Centre red line that divides the
rink in half
and two blue lines that create 30-metre defensive
zones
for each team.
There are nine face-off dots, the main being
at Centre ice.
The nets are set in each defensive zone
on opposite sides of the ice surface, four
metres
from the end boards.
Para hockey and ice hockey use the same 2.5-centimetre
by 7.6-centimetre vulcanized rubber disk,
otherwise known as a puck.
But some of the other equipment is quite different.
The most notable is the sledge, which players
use
to get around the ice surface.
A sledge consists of a plastic seat
that's connected to a U-shaped frame made
from aluminum or steel.
The frame must be at least 80 centimetres
in length
and have a maximum height of 20 centimetres
from the bottom of the seat to the ice.
Beneath the seat are a set of sharpened parallel
blades.
The blades range from 16 to 32 centimetres.
Players then strap into their seat using plastic
ratchet
straps for safety and comfort.
The other piece of equipment that sets Para
ice hockey
apart are the sticks, which range from 65
centimetres
to 100 centimetres in length.
Also, players use two sticks while on the
ice.
With one in each hand, the sticks are dual-ended.
On one side, there are metal picks
attached to help players propel themselves
around the playing surface.
On the other side is a curved blade
that's used for handling and shooting the
puck.
And now you're ready to hit the ice.
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