SPHL player gets lengthy suspension after coming off bench to fight (w/video)
The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) has handed out a lengthy suspension following an incident where a player came off the bench to fight. During a game between the Vermillion County Bobcats and the Macon Mayhem last Saturday, the Bobcats' Justin Portillo jumped off the bench around eight minutes into the second period to fight Taylor Cutting. After squaring off, the fight was over quickly as Portillo landed a hard right hand on his first swing that knocked Cutting's helmet off. He makes another two swings that don't connect, and Cutting then loses his balance and falls to the ice.
In a statement from the SPHL, it's noted that Portillo's eight-game suspension will spill over into next season.
"Vermilion County's Justin Portillo has been suspended eight games (three games under Rule 70.10, Leaving the Bench, and five games for accumulated game misconducts) as a result of his actions in SPHL Game 280, Vermilion County at Macon, played on Saturday, March 26.
Portillo was assessed a major penalty for fighting, a game misconduct under Rule 46.6, Secondary Altercation, and a game misconduct under Rule 70.6, Leaving the Bench, at 8:18 of the second period.
Portillo will miss Vermilion County's remaining games against Quad City (April 1), Peoria (April 2 and 9) and Evansville (April 7). The remaining four games of his suspension will carry over to the 2022-2023 regular season."
Portillo was assessed a major penalty for fighting, a game misconduct under Rule 46.6, Secondary Altercation, and a game misconduct under Rule 70.6, Leaving the Bench, at 8:18 of the second period.
Portillo will miss Vermilion County's remaining games against Quad City (April 1), Peoria (April 2 and 9) and Evansville (April 7). The remaining four games of his suspension will carry over to the 2022-2023 regular season."
MUST READ
TRENDING NOW
|
LIVE
APRIL 22, 2026
| ||||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Sean Couturier | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Noah Juulsen | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Erik Karlsson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Evgeni Malkin | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Rasmus Ristolainen | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Nick Seeler | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Trevor Zegras | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Sidney Crosby | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jamie Drysdale | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Porter Martone | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Thomas Novak | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Rickard Rakell | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Bryan Rust | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Noel Acciari | - | - | - | |
| Denver Barkey | - | - | - | |
| Justin Brazeau | - | - | - | |
| Noah Cates | - | - | - | |
| Yegor Chinakhov | - | - | - | |
| Connor Clifton | - | - | - | |
| Connor Dewar | - | - | - | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Sabres | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | |
| Lightning | 82 | 50 | 26 | 6 | 106 | |
| Canadiens | 82 | 48 | 24 | 10 | 106 | |
| Bruins | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 100 | |
| Senators | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | |
| Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 92 | |
| Panthers | 82 | 40 | 38 | 4 | 84 | |
| Maple Leafs | 82 | 32 | 36 | 14 | 78 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 | |
| Penguins | 82 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 98 | |
| Flyers | 82 | 43 | 27 | 12 | 98 | |
| Capitals | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 95 | |
| Blue Jackets | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 92 | |
| Islanders | 82 | 43 | 34 | 5 | 91 | |
| Devils | 82 | 42 | 37 | 3 | 87 | |
| Rangers | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 82 | 55 | 16 | 11 | 121 | |
| Stars | 82 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 112 | |
| Wild | 82 | 46 | 24 | 12 | 104 | |
| Mammoth | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Blues | 82 | 37 | 33 | 12 | 86 | |
| Predators | 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 86 | |
| Jets | 82 | 35 | 35 | 12 | 82 | |
| Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 39 | 14 | 72 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 82 | 39 | 26 | 17 | 95 | |
| Oilers | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 93 | |
| Ducks | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Kings | 82 | 35 | 27 | 20 | 90 | |
| Sharks | 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | |
| Kraken | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 | |
| Flames | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| Canucks | 82 | 25 | 49 | 8 | 58 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||