For years, ice hockey in the city was in a bit of a slump, but something good is brewing again in the Jaap Edenhal. The Amsterdam Tigers are at the top of the competition and are therefore competing for a new national title. And that was allowed again, because the last championship dates back to 2005, when the club became champion four times in a row. An important player from that time, John Versteeg, is now a coach. “We are first, but for me as a coach it is just important that there is progress every week.”
“We knocked off the top of Leeuwarden last week, we hope to continue at that level and continue to win matches,” says player Ryan Kölgen. Yesterday the Tigers managed to maintain this level against Groningen, and they succeeded. In the well-filled Jaap Edenhal the score was 7-3.
“The first period was fantastic at 4-0 and then we collapsed a bit. Then it is difficult to keep the rhythm up,” says player Calvin Pohlman immediately after the match. “In the end we got him back and we achieved a nice win here.”
‘Fast and dynamic’
It was also exciting for the supporters in the skating hall during the match, despite the Tigers’ first position. “It started very well, but now it is deteriorating very quickly,” said a loyal fan during the match, just after Groningen scored. “From 4-0 up to 4-2 is a bit less.” But adds another: “I think they are doing it a lot of fun, it is fast and dynamic.”
Whether the team will actually win the national title remains to be seen. Next week they play against Eindhoven. After that they are exactly halfway through the competition.