Dig in and become a para ice hockey instant expert

Para ice hockey — previously known as sledge hockey — is one of the showcase events of the Paralympic Winter Games, combining raw power, pinpoint finesse and calculated strategy.

Here's everything you need to know to instantly become a para ice hockey expert as Canada competes at the Paralympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea:

Format and equipment

The sport was first contested at the 1994 Games in Lillehammer, Norway. The United States owns the most Paralympic titles with three, including back-to-back golds in Sochi and Vancouver.

While the rink dimensions and rules are similar to the sport's able-bodied counterpart, there are a few differences, notably the equipment used by the athletes.

Players sit in customized sledges — hence the original and colloquial name of the sport — that have two skate blades underneath the seat that allow for stickhandling underneath the frame of the sledge.

On the subject of sticks, players wield one stick in each hand; the sticks have standard blades on one end and metal picks on the other that are used for propelling a player forward.

Goaltenders only have one stick, as they have a blocker and trapper in each hand. Their sledges are slightly modified to accommodate additional padding.

While the ice surface and rules follow the International Ice Hockey Federation's standards, the benches and penalty boxes have plexiglass instead of traditional boards in front of them. Unlike some Paralympic events, there is only one classification for para ice hockey.

Eight teams are divided into two pools of four; the top two teams in each pool advance to the semifinals and eventually the medal round, while the bottom four play for placing.

Rivalry renewed

Canada's lone para ice hockey gold came at the 2006 Games in Torino; three members from that team — Brad Bowden, Billy Bridges and team captain Greg Westlake — are on this year's squad.

As with most things hockey, the rivalry between Canada and the U.S., is always a major point of discussion. The Canadians won last April's world championships in South Korea with a 4-1 win over their souther neighbours, but the U.S. got revenge in December with its fourth consecutive World Sledge Hockey Challenge title.

Canada will rely on veterans like Westlake, Bridges and stalwart defenceman Adam Dixon, along with rising star Liam Hickey and winger-turned-goaltender Dominic Larocque.

"That's one of the things that's special with our team is that there's several leaders," Hickey says. "Yeah we have the letters, but we have so many guys that can lead in so many different ways."

Here are the 17 members of Canada's para ice hockey team:

• Brad Bowden, Orton, Ont.
• Billy Bridges, Summerside, P.E.I.
• Greg Westlake, Toronto
• Steve Arsenault, Spruce Grove, Ont.
• Adam Dixon, Midland, Ont.
• James Gemmell, Quesnel, B.C.
• Corbin Watson, Kingsville, Ont.
• Ben Delaney, Ottawa
• Dominic Larocque, Quebec City
• Tyler McGregor, Forest, Ont.
• Liam Hickey, St. John's
• Tyrone Henry, Ottawa
• Rob Armstrong, Erin, Ont.
• Dominic Cozzolino, Mississauga, Ont.
• James Dunn, Wallacetown, Ont.
• Bryan Sholomicki, Winnipeg
• Corbyn Smith, Monkton, Ont.