In early 2013 after spending eight seasons under the umbrella of Esbjerg fB; the football club sold EfB Ishockey to businessman Christian Rølmer Christensen.

In Pederson's first season as the club's head coach, he led the team to the playoffs, though it was spoiled by a match-fixing scandal.

Three of the club's players including, Kirill Starkov, Tyler Mosienko and Dennis Jensen were suspended and fined after admitting to betting on their own team and match-fixing.

After losing two key first liners due to suspension; Esbjerg was eliminated in the quarterfinal by local rivals SønderjyskE Ishockey.

In the Semifinals Esbjerg Energy eliminated Frederikshavn Whitehawks in game seven and advanced to their third final in as many years.

In the finals Esbjerg won the championship at home in game 5, making them back-to-back champions for the first time in club history.