This week, we put the spotlight firmly on the Welsh giants as the Cardiff Devils take centre stage.
We break down a Devils roster stacked with bite, skill, and depth, including two reliable netminders and a lineup built to play any style. But after a shock early exit from the Challenge Cup and no Continental Cup distraction, is the pressure now firmly on league and playoffs?
The Devils have taken scalps against Sheffield and Belfast, yet Scotland has proven a stumbling block. Why the inconsistency—and does fixing it make Cardiff genuine title contenders?
Plus… as founding members of the Brett Ferguson fan club, we ask how good it feels to finally see Fergie pulling on Devils colours.
Then it’s onto the Flames.Why have recent Devils vs Guildford matchups been so one-sided? Is Cardiff’s ability to drag teams into a physical battle the key?
We assess Guildford’s roster, the added spice of ex-Devils faces, and whether the Flames are dark horses for top four or staring down a tight playoff race.Does a lack of size hurt Guildford against teams that can match them both physically and technically?
Predictions: The last Flames win over Cardiff came a year ago in a game defined by bare benches. Can Guildford change the script this time?
All that, plus AOB, in this week’s Cardiff Devils Takeover episode.
Episode 10 of The Heated Take is here and it’s packed with opinion, debate, and Flames insight. Freddie, Dean, and Will break down a wild run of form for Guildford, including momentum swings, resilience, and what the recent results really say about this team. The lads dive into the Belfast away doubleheader from an in-person perspective, hand out Player of the Month honours, and run through the latest injury updates and roster rumours. There’s also a quickfire EIHL roundup, table outlook, upcoming game predictions, and a loaded fan mailbag covering everything from league discipline to line chemistry.
In this episode of The Heated Takeover, we break down one of the most intriguing EIHL matchups of the season, Guildford Flames vs Belfast Giants, with special guest Patrick Smyth, host of the Giants’ own podcast A View From the Bridge.
Belfast haven’t looked as dominant as in past years, especially against the Flames. We dig into why teams may be approaching them differently, their uneven Challenge Cup form despite topping the group, and whether their CHL and Cup performances hint that they’re still dark horses in the league race. We also spotlight the impact of Lee and Kawaguchi and the under-the-radar contributors who deserve more credit.
For Guildford, the season feels on a knife edge heading into Christmas. We discuss their slide from title contenders to playoff chasers, the risks of an inexperienced roster, and the looming question: could this be the year they miss out? We revisit their recent split results — a gritty 2–1 Flames win followed by a strong Giants response — and look ahead to what style of hockey to expect in this weekend’s double-header in Belfast.
Plus: what the Flames must do to get points, and our score predictions.
If you’re into EIHL storylines, swings in form, and honest insight, you won’t want to miss this one.
In Episode 9, we sit down with Guildford Flames forward Jack Jacome for a brilliant deep-dive into his hockey story, from growing up in Caledon and dominating junior hockey, to captaining Clarkson University and making the jump to pro in Europe.
Jack talks us through:
We then head inside the locker room as Jack reveals:
Plus, we put your fan questions to him; including his NHL team, living situation, favourite Guildford spots, and even what he’d cook on a date.
A sharp, fun, and insight-packed conversation with one of the Flames’ standout players.
Flyers chaos, Flames injuries and big decisions on both sides..... Jordan Byers joins The Heated Take Over to break down Fife's rebuild, Guildford's stuttered start, key signings, bold leadership changes and preview a crucial Flyers vs Flames matchup with predictions.
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.