Tempers flared as both clubs were hungry for their first CHL points when HC Donbass Donetsk hosted the Rouen Dragons in their second tilt of the campaign.  

Early on, mistakes were made and an undisciplined French team afforded the home side three powerplay opportunities, including two in quick succession. But in a twist of fate, it would be the visitors who gained the go-ahead goal.

A mishandled puck in the neutral zone allowed Anthony Guttig to skate in, go forehand backhand and slide a shorthanded tally past Andrey Makarov.  

Despite maintaining consistent pressure against Rouen - edging them out in shots on goal 14-6 - the Ukranian side was unable to solve Matija Pintarič through the first 20 minutes. 

Rouen continued to play with fire in the second stanza as the French side were called for 3 more infractions. Sloppy zone play didn't do the home side any favours, however, as Donbass failed to convert on each opportunity.

Powerplay struggles aside, the Ukranian side did just fine with 5-on-5 hockey as a falling Olegs Sislannikovs managed to tie the game on Donbass' 19th shot at 24:38.

The French side would finally go on the powerplay in the closing minutes of the frame, including a brief 5-on-3, but neither club was able to breach the net.

As the puck dropped for the third period, the home team held a slight advantage in shots at 27-21. Quality chances were had from each side with Rouen creating several dangerous opportuntities early on.

Makarov stood on his head, making a brilliant kick save in the opening minutes to keep Donbass competitive - but the French side kept coming. Minutes later a trailing Dylan Yeo rang one off the farside bar and all of a sudden the visiting team were buzzing around the ice.

But, given the night's theme, it was only a matter of time before Donbass returned to the man-advantage, and on their seventh attempt they finally found that ever-elusive powerplay tally.

After battling down low in front of the net, Andrei Biriukov managed to clean up the rebound to put Donbass up by one at 51:00.

Biriukov's tally would stand as the winner and the Ukranian champions would take their first-ever CHL game to the delight of the home crowd.