THE HAGUE, Netherlands – For the second time in three seasons and for the tenth time overall, HYS The Hague was crowned Dutch champions after defeating rivals Tilburg Trappers in a best-of-seven series. The Hague, managing to withstand the pressure of being the team to beat all season, rebounded from a 3-0 deficit in game 5 to clinch the series with a 5-4 victory.

Blessed with the league’s top two leading scorers in Phil Aucoin and TJ Caig, HYS The Hague was the major force in the Dutch league in 2010-11. Unlike last year, the team was also able to make their dominance count in the post season. They swept Eaters Geleen in three games with scorelines that do not leave a lot of room for interpretation – 8-0, 8-1, 4-1 – to seal a trip to the finals.

In the finals they met the lone team that was able to win a game of consequence against coach Gary Prior’s squad this season. In the Dutch Cup final, the Tilburg Trappers defeated HYS The Hague 6-3. The Hague won its first three games (6-4, 4-2 and 5-1) before Tilburg managed to extend the series with a 7-2 win in game 4. On home ice, HYS The Hague clinched the series in game 5, leaving Tilburg forced to settle for silver for the third straight year.

“Our comeback in game 5 showed we’re more than just team consisting of good players,” said team captain Josh Mizerek afterwards. “We also showed to have character. During the season we’ve become a real family in which everybody contributes.”

White Caps Turnhout rewarded for hard work

TURNHOUT, Belgium – After struggling through the early stages of the season, White Caps Turnhout have now claimed the Belgian league title. A thrilling six-game series against HYC Herentals brought the title back to Turnhout for the first time since 2008.

This Belgian championship has been an unorthodox one to say the least. With both Turnhout and Herentals having committed to play in a joint league called the North Sea Cup together with six Dutch teams, the other Belgian teams decided not to participate in the Belgian Elite League. As a result there were just two teams left to decide on who would become Belgian champions.

With the series tied after four games (4-3OT, 3-5, 1-3, 6-5OT), White Caps Turnhout came out strong with two 6-2 victories to win the championship. Forward Ryan Petersen had 6 goals in 12 points to lead his team in scoring while defenceman Ayron Mikkelsen came up huge in game six with a pair of goals and assists.

Turnhout’s victory was surprising for two reasons. The team found itself on the losing end against Herentals for most mutual games played earlier in either the Belgian Cup or the North Sea Cup. Secondly, Turnhout has been playing the whole season with a minimal squad of just 20 players.

“This is the result of putting in hard work the past months,” coach Zlatko Hrelja said. “In order to breed success you first need to build a foundation. That we managed in the first few months.”

Note: The series deciding game 6 was played in Turnhout at the Kempisch Ijsstadion which is the first green ice arena in Europe, energized via 1200 solar panels. The revolutionary plan has reduced the CO2-output with no less than 123,000 kg/year.

JOERI LOONEN


The White Caps Turnhout celebrate a golden season in which they captured two cups. Photo: whitecaps.be