Korea and Canada face off in the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games semifinal para ice hockey match at the Gangwon Hockey Centre on March 15. (Park Jang-bhin)
By Korea.net PyeongChang Special Report Team
Gangneung | March 15, 2018
The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games para ice hockey semifinal match between Korea and Canada took place on March 15, and the fans were able to enjoy the same fun and excitement as at the Olympic Games.
The Gangneung Hockey Centre was filled with passionate fans who were interested in Canada, ranked first in the world, and who loved para ice hockey itself.
The crowds at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games semifinal para ice hockey match enjoy a range of events during the game itself, such as doing The Wave and enjoying a traditional Korean percussion pungmul show, at the Gangwon Hockey Centre on March 15. (Kim Sunjoo)
Apart from the game itself, the bleachers were filled with cheers for the athletes and voices in support of the two teams.
The crowds were amused by various attractions, too, including a performance of a sangmo dance with its iconic hat with a long ribbon, volunteers who dressed like Joseon district governors, a special “shouting time” and even a “dance time.”
First lady Kim Jung-sook was in the crowds, as was President Lee Hee-beom of the PyeongChang organizing committee, and International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons, adding to the atmosphere.
Veronique Prince from Canada said, “It seems like a special atmosphere here, as this game is a match against the host country.” Prince said that the crowds cheering make for a better atmosphere for the game.
Kim So-yeong, who came from Daejeon with her family, said, “It was so touching to see the athletes doing their best in the game. They were so fast on the ice. It looked like they were flying.”
The Korean para ice hockey team did its best, but lost the game to Canada 7-0. The Korean team will have its bronze medal match on March 17 at noon.
kgh89@korea.kr
