5 things to know for Skate Canada International in Halifax [Video]

The Canadian pairs team of Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps will join fellow world champions Ilia Malinin and Kaori Sakamoto to headline a strong field at Skate Canada International this week.

The second Grand Prix stop of the year goes Friday through Sunday at Scotiabank Centre as the pre-Olympic figure skating season kicks into high gear for Canada’s top medal hopes.

Here’s a look at five things to know heading into the event:

Back again

After skating to silver at the world championships in Montreal, ice dancers Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier are back for another season.

The decorated duo has made a habit of opening its season at Skate Canada — and winning. The two 32-year-olds have topped the podium in four straight years of the competition (the 2020 event was cancelled). This weekend, they’ll aim for a fifth victory to kick-start a season they hope culminates in their first world …