SHEFFIELD, U.K. – The signing of NHL’er Tom Sestito to the Steelers garnered mixed reviews amongst fans in the league. Fans from all Elite League teams were extremely vociferous when Sestito put pen to paper for the current league leaders.
The Steelers can now carry on with business as usual
Sestito who usually graces the ice for the renowned and prestigious Philadelphia Flyers, if it wasn’t for the NHL lockout, has been given the moniker of ‘Goon’ and ‘Knuckle dragger’ by many rival teams fans of the Steelers.
The 25-year-old American has surprised fans throughout the league with his playing ability, as he has 6 points in 5 games (3+3) including three Man of The Match awards.
In the Steelers latest game against the Hull Stingrays at Ice Sheffield on Sunday 21st of October 2012, Sestito was assessed a match penalty for a check to the head by referees Mike Hicks and Paul Staniforth.
The hit in question occurred three minutes into the second period, just down from the Steelers bench, on the Rays’ British forward Andy Ward.
The hit from the 6’5 230lb forward caused Ward’s head to hit the stern plexi glass at Ice Sheffield, with the Stingray leaving the game on a stretcher with a suspected concussion.
Ward, who is now making a good recovery, hopes to be back on the ice soon, “ I don’t remember anything about it to be honest. I came round in the room and went to hospital. I had a CT scan to check for swelling and bleeding and that came back all clear. I also had a few deep cuts, which they cleaned up,” Ward explained.
“I want to say thank you to everyone who took care of me on the ice and afterwards. I heard a few of the players helped too. I really appreciate it. I have had tweets from fans from Hull, Sheffield, Nottingham and Coventry showing their support. I have been overwhelmed by it all,” Ward added. “It’s happened and I need to deal with it. It is unfortunate timing as I was starting to get a regular shift and I was really enjoying it out there. I now want to focus on my recovery and get back as soon as I can,” Ward said.
The hit in question by Sestito on Andy Ward (Image courtesy of Dean Woolley)
The EIHL disciplinary committee has reviewed the hit after Steelers appeal and have deemed the hit to be clean and have revoked the match penalty assessed on the night, and have issued the following statement:
“The Rapid Solicitors Elite League disciplinary committee has reviewed the incident involving Sheffield Steelers forward Tom Sestito in the match against Hull Stingrays at Ice Sheffield on Sunday 21st October 2012.
Sestito was assessed a match penalty for checking to the head at 23:19. After an extensive review, including slow-motion replays and reports from the match night officials, the committee has revoked the penalty and this will be removed from Sestito’s record.
Head of discipline Simon Kirkham said: “It is a very strong hit, which caused an unfortunate injury to Hull’s Andy Ward and we wish him a speedy recovery.
“The video clearly shows the point of contact is to the body and not to his head.
“It is therefore a legal hit and no further action will be taken and the checking-to-the-head penalty will be removed from Sestito’s record.”
Sestito will now be able to play this weekend as Sheffield face a double header away to the Belfast Giants.
Contact the author at Scott.antcliffe@prohockeynews.com
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