Watch Sledge Hockey. Become a Fan!

I’m not really a hockey fan, preferring instead the more graceful sport of figure skating,  but I wanted to attend a 2010 Paralympic Games event. So my friend and I went to see a sledge hockey game.  It may not be the rough and tumble, rowdy game that regular hockey can be, but it didn’t take me long to become a fan!

Sledge hockey is just as exciting and skillful.  Two things stand out:  the physicality and the speed.  Players smash each other almost as much as NHL players do, and they get around the rink almost as fast too, with some pretty impressive stickhandling.  They play with short sticks in both hands and are remarkably ambidextrous.   Sledge hockey sticks have picks at one end and a blade at the other, and the sleds are designed so the puck can pass underneath.  The players are fast and agile, and the speed in which they maneuver those sledges across the rink  is breathtaking.  All the rules of hockey apply except a regular game consists of three 15 minute periods.

The UBC Thunderbird Arena was filled with cheering crowds.  That day it was the flags of the Czech Republic and USA dominating the tiers. USA won the game 3 to 0, but sitting behind the goal net we were impressed with the skill of the Czech goalie.

Today the arena was all red and white with the Canadian flag predominant as Canada played an a exciting game with Norway, winning 5 - 0.   There’s still time to see other sledge hockey games during the week as the Paralympic Winter Games last until March 21.

The 2010 Paralympic Games are a major event  for Canada ‘s disabled athletes as well as those who are competing from around the world.  Be sure to take in a game or two.  You will cheer and you will cry as you watch these amazing athletes.  The Paralympic athletes certainly deserve the same accolades as any Olympians.  They don’t compete for the glory, sponsorship money or even the fame.  While Olympians get paid for medals, these athletes do not.

There are still tickets available for most of the Paralympic Games events.  In Vancouver you can see sledge hockey and wheelchair curling.  To watch the alpine and Nordic events  and biathalon you must go to Whistler.  The 2010 Paralympic Winter Games is on until March 21 and includes 1350 athletes from 40 countries.

For information on locations, hours and to purchase tickets visit the Contact Us page

BOX OFFICES:

Main Ticket Centre – Vancouver  Robson Square downstairs, north end GE Plaza ice rink.  Hours 10am – 6pm

Tourism Vancouver Ticket Kiosk – Vancouver  Plaza Level 200 Burrard St.  Monday-Saturday 10am – 6 pm (closed Sunday)

Main Ticket Centre – Whistler: Whistler Medals Plaza 10 am – 6 pm

Tickets are available on-line first-served basis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVSWBG6SrjQ

Websites for persons in wheelchairs  

and Wheelchair