AARON FOX says Sheffield Steelers will likely have to extend the way they played in the first period in Sunday’s win over Guildford Flames for the entire 60 minutes if they want to prevail in their Challenge Cup semi-final against Nottingham Panthers.

The Steelers ensured three points from a double-header league weekend against the Flames, when they followed up Saturday’s 2-1 overtime defeat at The Spectrum with a deserved 6-3 win over the same opponents on home ice.

At one point, the Steelers were 4-0 up against Guildford at the Utilita Arena but allowed the visitors to make it a one-goal game early in the third, before closing out with a third period strike from Patrick Watling and a second of the night for Stephen Harper.

It ensures the Steelers remain second in the regular season standings, six points off leaders Belfast Giants ahead of a trip to Northern Ireland on Friday night.

Before that though, the Steelers welcome Nottingham for the second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday, trailing 3-0 from the first leg.

Defenceman Brien Diffley and forwards Brett Ritchie and Sam Tremblay all missed the win against Guildford with game-day decisions expected on all three.

“It was frustrating that we let them back into that hockey game,” said Fox. “But I’m happy that we were able to find a way after they made it a one-goal game.

“It wasn’t a one-goal game for very long but we need more of what we had in the first period. That was one of the best firsts (periods) we’ve played in a long time.

We’ll come back (Tuesday) and get prepped for what is a big one on Wednesday when we need to start on time and play the right way for 60.”