Brett Ferguson’s back in the EIHL — but wearing Cardiff red. Freddie, Fiona, and guest host Will (The Guildford Flames Fan on X) react to the news, break down another tough stretch for the Flames, and ask what’s really behind the growing injury crisis.
Plus: new signings, GB’s performance at the European Nations, and a surprise fan mailbag with your hottest takes.

Introducing The Heated Take Over Side Series — a new fan-focused spin-off exploring upcoming EIHL match-ups through the voices of podcast hosts and fans across the league.

In Episode 1, Dean sits down with Sheffield Steelers supporter and podcast host David Grant to preview the Flames–Steelers double-header — discussing form, key players, and what to expect from one of November’s most anticipated weekends of hockey.

Designed to bring together different perspectives from around the EIHL, The Over Side Series shines a light on fan culture, rivalry, and insight from every corner of the league.

This week on The Heated Take, Freddie and Fiona chat with Guildford Flames captain Matt Alvaro about his hockey journey, settling into life in the UK, and what it’s really like leading the team.

We get into everything from the dynamics in the dressing room to how the group handles big moments on and off the ice. Matt also shares a few stories that give a great glimpse into the personality of this year’s squad.

Oh, and did you know Jake Kupsky makes a mean mac and cheese?

This week, Freddie and Fiona take the mic to look back on a strong run of form for the Guildford Flames. With eight points from a possible ten across five games, the team is showing real signs of momentum. The hosts break down each matchup, from dominant wins over Glasgow, Fife, and Manchester to the tight losses that still showed plenty of fight.

They also dig into the Flames’ recent turnaround, Fazio’s standout performances in net, and the growing injury list that’s testing the team’s depth. Plus, there’s plenty of chat around the league, including Mitchell Heard’s move to Sheffield, Fife’s open letter to fans, and reaction to the Financial Times feature on women in hockey.

A packed episode full of honest analysis, league insight, and cautious optimism for what’s ahead.

This week we sit down with defenceman Kyle Locke for an honest and wide-ranging conversation. We dive into his hockey journey, his time in Guildford, and that unforgettable season when the Flames came so close to winning the league. Kyle opens up about what made that team special, what led to his departure over the summer, and how life’s been treating him since joining Manchester.

Don’t miss this one — it’s insightful, candid, and gives a real look behind the curtain at one of the most talked-about moves of the offseason.

Seven games in, one win on the board, and the Flames are already facing big questions. In this episode, we break down a bruising run of results, ask if their early style of play is working — and whether they only have one style — and dig into the netminder debate. We also touch on the team morale, is it telling that Paul Dixon has not been taking interviews, and what fans are saying off the ice. Plus, we look around the league, preview a tough run of fixtures, and give our score predictions, all with a few heated takes along the way.

This week on The Heated Take, we’re joined by 3on3 Podcast’s Scott Findlay to get the lowdown ahead of the Guildford Flames’ clash with the Coventry Blaze. Scott gives his take on what to expect from this year’s Blaze roster, shares his predictions for the weekend, and lifts the lid on how the Flames are seen from the outside. From favourite players to the ones you love to hate (yes, Fergie gets a mention), this is an episode Flames fans won’t want to miss.

The Flames lost all three preseason games against Amiens, Cardiff, and Coventry, but does that really mean we’re in for a tough year? In this episode we review the performances, look at which new signings have caught the eye, and discuss who might provide the goals this season. We also share our thoughts on the captaincy decision and what it means heading into the campaign.

In our debut episode of the heated take, the unofficial Guildford Flames podcast, we look back at the end of last season, discuss key departures like Brett Ferguson, and break down how the current roster is shaping up under Paul Dixon. We also share our first impressions of the new signings and what fans can expect from the upcoming pre-season games.