The Rouen Dragons returned to the Champions Hockey League after missing 2022/23 with a strong performance against DEL side ERC Ingolstadt.
The French team scored the first goal of the game at 5:43, just two minutes before an Ingolstadt equaliser levelled the playing field again.
They would go ahead once more, this time just 18 seconds before the end of the first period, but another Ingolstadt equaliser in the middle frame stopped them in their tracks.
Then came a three-goal frenzy that completely caught them off guard, putting them 5-2 down. They added a late powerplay strike, but that was little help in turning the score around. What happened?
"We pushed them all game but the last 20 really hurt us," said Rouen Dragons forward Sacha Guimond, "We feel disappointed that we missed out on some points."
What was the problem in the final period in Guimond's view? Was it physically not having enough left to counter Ingolstadt?
"No, I don't think that was it," he replied, "we are facing a good team and a few mistakes cost us - they have some really good players and can score when the chances come."
Despite the disappointment, Guimond played a really good game. The 32-year-old Canadian recorded two points in the game with 1G+1A.
He was active on the puck, had shots and created chances, was at least this a positive to take away?
"Well that's my role on the team but we didn't get the job done so it wasn't enough in the end," he concluded.
Rouen will welcome the Lahti Pelicans to France this Saturday for their next CHL game.