IF Sheffield Steeldogs are to arrest their alarming slump they are going to need their most experienced players to lead the way out of it.

Defenceman Davey Phillips is one such player, joining the club somewhat controversially on the eve of the 2025-26 season from his hometown team Hull Seahawks but since playing a vital role both on and off the ice, according to Steeldogs’ head coach, Slava Koulikov.

Phillips’ return from almost a month out may have coincided with part of the current five-game losing streak the Steeldogs find themselves on, but Koulikov is more than happy with his contribution since arriving.

"On the ice he brings such a lot to the table,” said Koulikov who will be hoping his team can get back to winning ways in their double-header weekend against Romford Raiders.

LEADING ROLE: Davey Phillips since joining Sheffield Steeldogs has had the desired effect. Picture:Tony Johnson.

placeholder image — LEADING ROLE: Davey Phillips since joining Sheffield Steeldogs has had the desired effect. Picture:Tony Johnson.

“But it’s not just his game, he’s teaching a lot and passing on a lot of knowledge to our younger guys.

"He’s the most experienced D-man in the league – him and (Swindon’s) Ben O’Connor – and he’s an unbelievable role model, a great team-first guy, too.”

The Steeldogs will need to rely on the experience of Phillips – and other veterans such as Jonathan Phillips, Ben Morgan and Tim Smith – to turn around their form, the need for which became even greater on Friday night after Hull Seahawks continued their impressive run of form by securing a seventh straight win.

The Seahawks were good value for their 4-1 victory at third-placed Leeds Knights, following up on their 3-2 win after a shootout against Ryan Aldridge’s team on Wednesday in Hull.

The result moved the Seahawks up to fourth and within two points of Leeds and just three points off the Steeldogs, who face Leeds in the first leg of the NIHL National Cup Final at Elland Road on Thursday.

In the league, there are two meetings between Hull and the Steeldogs yet to come, in Hull on Sunday, March 1 and at Ice Sheffield on Friday, March 13.

This weekend, the Steeldogs play host first to the Raiders on Saturday (face-off 7pm) before the two lock horns again in Romford on Sunday (5.15pm).