###### Abstract  
This study aims to explore the winning and losing factors of Para Ice Hockey (PIH) games using a data mining-based decision tree analysis targeting the PIH games in international competitions organized by World Para Ice Hockey (WPIH). To achieve the study purpose and data collection, 66 games among the nations participating in the four international competitions for the last two years organized by WPIH, were selected as study subjects. The 3432 game records provided by WPIH were collected as study variables. The results of this study are as follows: First, the winning teams recorded 5.79 goals, 24.05 total shots on goal (SOG), 57.79% face-off winning percentage, 7.62 total saves (SVS), 0.24 total power play goals (PPGs), and 0.39 penalty-killing goals (PKGs) per game were recorded. The losing teams recorded 0.89 goals, 8.52 SOC, 42.21% face-off winning percentage, 18.26 SVS, 0.82 PPG, and 0.05 PKG and showed significant differences. When looking at game records by period, significant differences were revealed in the goals, SOG, and PPG except in the third period, and total shorthanded goals (SHGs) and SVS except in the second period. The winning teams showed the highest goals and SOG in the first, second, and third periods, while the losing teams showed the reverse order. Second, (1) according to the exploration result of winning and losing factors, excluding total goal-related variables, the probability of winning was 82.8% if the goal was 1 or more in the first period. The critical winning and losing factors were revealed as a goal in the first period and SOC in the second period in that order. (2) According to the exploration result of the winning and losing factors, excluding each period's goal-related variables, the probability of winning was 81.4% if the SOG was 5 or more in the first period. As the essential winning and losing factors, SOC in the second period, SOC in the second period, and time on power play (TPP) in the third period were revealed. (3) The exploration result of winning and losing factors, excluding goals and shots-related variables, the probability of winning was 70.9% if the total face-off winning percentage was 46.23% or more. As the essential winning and losing factors, the total face-off winning percentage and SVS in the second period are shown in order. para ice hockey; world para ice hockey; winning and losing factor; decision tree analysis; sports analytics +
Footnote †: journal: Applied  
Above all, it is vital to use game records in sports to check the details related to athletic performance and winning and losing [6]. The most crucial information in sports determines winning and losing. Although predicting winning and losing factors is not easy, many experts in the sports field are continuously performing studies to explore the factors determining the dynamics of winning and losing [7]. In the disabled people's sports area, the scientific sports approach is carried out in diverse fields based on the London 2012 Paralympic Games. An analytic study using game records is emphasized to offer information that improves athletic performance [8; 9; 10; 11; 12]. A game record analysis on high-level international competitions helps analyze athletic performance and relevant information as data related to nations with excellent athletic performance [10]; therefore, its utilization is high. However, in the field of sports, there is a lack of research on para ice hockey, and it is difficult to find research on game records from an analytical point of view. To strengthen international competitiveness in international competitions and to develop the sport of para ice hockey, it is necessary to conduct an objective analysis that can confirm the trend of victory and defeat factors using data from recent major international competitions. As para ice hockey is a team sport, various game-related variables such as shots, passes, face-offs, penalties, and tactical situations occur. So the analysis data on the game contents can be used as major information for improving performance.