Having seen their Challenge Cup hopes expire in such dramatic fashion in Sheffield last Wednesday against Fife Flyers, it will have been no easy task coming up against the same team twice in the league the following weekend.

Across the home-and-home double-headers, the Steelers only scored once in 120 minutes. Crucially, they stopped Fife scoring at all.

Saturday night’s win at the Utilita Arena came courtesy of a 13th-minute Brandon Whistle strike. The following night in Kirkcaldy, the only time the net bristled was in the shoot-out after 65 minutes could not separate the two teams.

MAXIMUM HAUL: Sheffield Steelers' celebrate their 1-0 win over Fife Flyers after a shootout in Kirkcaldy Picture courtesy of Jill McFarlane/Fife Flyers/EIHL

Danny Kristo struck in the second round, as did Fife’s Dillon Lawrence but Marc-Olivier Vallerand kept his cool to ensure the Steelers finished the weekend with four points, in third spot, four points off leaders Belfast Giants and with a game in hand.

The Steelers are next in action when they head across the Pennines to take on Manchester Storm (face-off 7.30pm)

Sheffield Steelers prove resolute to gain revenge and stay in Elite League title race