Adler Mannheim outlasted the Rouen Dragons 3-2 to secure their place in the 2023/24 Champions Hockey League Playoffs while the French fall for the fourth time this season as they are on the outside looking in.

An early powerplay gave Mannheim an early advantage with the hosts scoring just five seconds into the man advantage after Jordan Murray deflected a Kris Bennett shot from the point that made its way past Matija Pintarič to make it 1-0.

David Wolf would make it a two-goal game when he deposited a slick feed from Tyler Gaudet, and with that it seemed that the Germans were in firm control.

The visitors, however, responded with two of their own in the later stage of the opening frame, including one on the powerplay.

Loic Lamperier scored his first of night on the man advantage when he slid one through the wickets of Arno Tiefensee from the top of the blue paint as Rouen became the first team to solve Mannheim's penalty kill this season. Lamperier then added another a little over a minute later after firing home a rebound from the bottom of the slot to end the scoring in the first at 2-2.

A four-goal first gave way to a scoreless second as neither club was able to find twine despite powerplay opportunities being handed out to both sides. Rouen had the best chance during their man advantage when Quentin Tomasino was left all alone in the slot, but Tiefensee shouldered it away to keep the game knotted after 40 minutes of play.

Third period action began with Mannheim continuing to generate extensive offensive zone time which had them outshooting Rouen by over 30 shots at one point, but Pintarič continued to be the deciding factor for the French.

But with nine minutes gone, it was the Germans converting on the powerplay once again. This time it was Gaudet, who was a factor on all three goals, netting one short side past the Slovenian netminder to reclaim the lead and put pressure on Rouen to make something happen.

As Pintarič skated to the bench, the French did all they could to tie it late, but the hosts succeeded in stifling their chances spearheaded by the effort of Tiefensee who, after giving up two quick ones in the first, stood on his head to help the Germans claim their fourth game and their Playoff qualification.