The Pinguins Bremerhaven trailed for a good portion of the game, but they kept getting their chances and eventually struck twice on a third-period powerplay, turning a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 win over the Rouen Dragons.

The two teams traded goals in the first minute and a half, then settled into more of a defensive battle.

Bremerhaven struck first, just 27 seconds after the opening faceoff. Off the rush, Žiga Jeglič passed across to Felix Maegaard Scheel, whose wrister beat Oskari Setänen between the legs.

Then Rouen tied it just over a minute later, and it was a brilliant individual effort by Tomas Simonson. After taking a long pass from Juho Tommila, the 21-year-old drove into the attacking zone down the left wing, then cut to the inside by putting a great move on the defenceman before beating Kristers Gudlevskis on a forehand deke.

Bremerhaven had the better of the chances for the rest of the period, particularly on a couple of powerplays, and then got a penalty shot early in the second period when Tommila was called for hooking. On the penalty shot, Christian Wejse tried to go five-hole on Setänen, but this time the Finnish netminder closed the door.

Jared Dmytriw had a great chance for Rouen in the 28th minute when he broke in alone but was denied by Gudlevskis. Dmytriw would give the Dragons the lead before the period was done, however. Driving to the net through traffic, Mattéo Perdrix found his stick for the short-side re-direct with 4:09 on the clock.

Early in the third period, however, Bremerhaven turned the game around by taking advantage of the CHL rules and scoring twice on the same powerplay.

The tying goal was Nicholas B. Jensen teeing up a one-timer from the point by Jan Urbas, which blew by everybody, including a screened Setänen. Then just 55 seconds later the Pinguins were in the lead. This time it was Jeglič carrying the puck into the zone, finding Urbas, who went down low and passed in front to a trailing Wejse, who found the net.

There was still 15 minutes to play, but the Dragons had to suddenly change their style of play and try to open it up, and the Pinguins did a good job of protecting their lead. An empty-net goal by Urbas helped secure three crucial points in their pursuit of a Playoff berth.