PyeongChang 2018 Sport Week: Para ice hockey Head-to-Head

One of the most heated rivalries in Paralympic sport is expected to take place on the last day of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games on 18 March. That is when the gold medal match of Para ice hockey will be held. Of the eight teams in PyeongChang, North American foes Canada and the USA are in a league of their own.

Their last major face off was at the 2017 World Para Ice Hockey Championships A-Pool, which also acted as a Test Event for the Games back in April.

Canada can take confidence from those Championships after they defeated the USA 4-1. But the USA got a measure of revenge when the two met again at the World Sledge Hockey Challenge, beating the Canadians 3-2.

But the biggest prize would come in March, with the USA aiming to defend their Paralympic title against the reigning world champions.

HEAD TO HEAD

Paralympic Games

Canada: 1 gold (Torino 2006), 1 silver (Nagano 1998), 2 bronze (Sochi 2014, Atlanta 1994)

USA: 3 golds (Sochi 2014, Vancouver 2010, Salt Lake 2002), 1 bronze (Torino 2006)

Finals head-to-heads: None

World Championships A-Pool

Canada: 4 golds (2017, 2013, 2008, 2000), 1 silver (2015), 3 bronze (2012, 2009, 1996)

USA: 3 golds (2015, 2012, 2009), 3 silver (2017, 2013, 2004), 1 bronze (2008)

Finals head-to-heads: 3 (2017, 2015, 2013)

Key players

Canada: Young, yet veteran leader in defenceman Adam Dixon is good at setting up his teammates for scoring opportunities. Forward Tyler McGregor is one of the team’s scoring threats.

USA: Young forwards Declan Farmer and Brody Roybal have given the USA a one-two punch.

The Paralympic Winter Games take place in PyeongChang, South Korea from 9-18 March. Tickets can be purchased here.