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MIKE O'CONNOR says only 120 minutes of focused, disciplined ice hockey will provide Sheffield Steelers with maximum points against the Elite League's dual pacesetters this weekend.
Steelers face their biggest challenge to date with games at joint league leaders Belfast Giants (Saturday) and Nottingham Panthers (home, Sunday).
Steelers are five points behind both. Belfast will widen the gap tonight if they beat Cardiff Devils.
Reflecting on the weekend challenge, Steelers' General Manager recognised that both the rivals had "come out of the shute fast and are both up there neck and neck for the league title".
Belfast were exciting 3-2 winners at champions Coventry Blaze on Sunday and O'Connor, speaking on video on thestar.co.uk, said: "We have to make sure we play our system, be strong defensively, shut them down and play for 60 minutes (each game.)
"That's been our downfall so far this year.We haven't strung together 60 minutes of hockey in any game. So we are looking forward to putting in 120 minutes of hockey."
Asked whether 44-goal Belfast were more attractive and potent than Sheffield, he admitted: "Well I suppose yes, when you have that much offence then yes it's attractive.
"Time will tell whether that is the right recipe for winning honours. But believe you me, we are going to go with our helmets strapped on tight and try and get a result."
Referring to Sunday's home game against Nottingham, O'Connor said he was still kicking himself over the 5-4 defeat at Panthers, last month.
"The game at the NIC was soul-destroying because we gave it away.
"We had a power play, were quite comfortable where we were in the game, took a stupid penalty, and then took another stupid penalty, and it changed the momentum of the game. They scored a goal and then got a cheesy goal right at the end to go-ahead off one of our defenders.
"Nottingham always come into our building and play hard so it will certainly be a good spectacle."
O'Connor also had words of support for Robert Dowd, who has been in fine form in his debut season full-time at the club.
"You watch this kid...he has been our stand out. He's got a nose for the goal, he skates well and he has a bright future in this game."
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