David Phillips suspended for two games

Steelers defenseman receives suspension

On Sunday afternoon in Sheffield, Steelers Defenceman David Phillips was assessed a penalty for an Illegal Check to the head on Storm forward Jesper Ohrvall, which caused an injury removing Ohrvall from the game.

As the video shows, Ohrvall is in control of the puck in his offensive zone, driving to the net, with Brendan Connolly defending and (D.) Phillips backchecking. Connolly uses his body and stick in an attempt to hold up Ohrvall and stop him getting to the net. Ohrvall fends off Connolly using his free hand, getting in front of him and continuing to the net. Then with Ohrvall tied up and slowed down after the battle with Connolly, (D.) Phillips approaches from the side by cutting across the front of Ohrvall’s core, delivering a high, forceful check that makes the head the main point of contact on a hit, where such head contact was avoidable. This is an illegal check to the head.

It is important to note that Ohrvall’s head is the main point of contact on this hit. (D.) Phillips’ shoulder makes substantial, forceful contact through Ohrvall’s head, with the head taking the brunt of the force of the check.

It is also important to note that the head contact on this play is avoidable. While Ohrvall is bent slightly and being slowed due to the battle with Connolly, he does not change the position of his head or body, just prior to or simultaneously with the check, in a way that significantly contributes to the head being the main point of contact. If he wants to deliver this hit, (D.) Phillips must stay low, and take an angle of approach that hits through Ohrvall’s shoulder and core, rather than one that makes the head the main point of contact. 

To summarise:

• This is an Illegal Check to the Head
• Ohrvall suffered an injury on the play
• David Phillips has neither been fined nor suspended during the 2022/23 Elite League Season.

Effective immediately, David Phillips is fined and suspended for two games.