The Guildford Flames are targeting their first major trophy at the highest level of British ice hockey, making a winning start to their season.
The Flames, aiming to improve on last season, sit second in the Challenge Cup table and comprehensively beat the previously unbeaten Sheffield Steelers 7-4 in their opening match of the Elite Ice Hockey League.
Joshua Waller, one of the only British players on the team, believes the team have what it takes to go far this season.
He said: “The expectations are high. We have a really strong group that I think can be successful. Staying with the process and building game by game is something we’re focused on.”
The Flames forward, who assisted three of the goals against Sheffield, hopes that the level of experience within the squad will provide the success they have been so fiercely striving for.
He said: “We play with a lot of speed, skill, and physicality. They understand what it takes to win in this league which is huge.”
Last season, the Flames finished the season fifth and were knocked out of the Elite League quarter-finals by the Steelers, but the team are hoping this statement win can propel their season further than ever before.
Kirk Humphreys, chief operating officer of the Flames, claims the team have the ability to push for trophies as long as they remain on the same levels of the teams who are consistently competitive
Despite holding the smallest venue in the Elite League, Humphreys believes that the quality of the team keeps them in contention with teams who have more financial scope.
He said: “There is a bit of an art to putting a team together to make sure you not only have good players but also when they come together as a group that they work well together.
“We are in a class with those which we expect to beat. There’s no reason why we can’t.”
Thanks to new books and media, such as Heated Rivalry and Off Campus, ice hockey is more popular than ever before, and Humphreys believes that the unique nature of the game is keeping the hype going.
He added: “Hockey is very different from any other sport, it is considered the fastest sport that a human being can play on two feet.
“It’s very physical, it’s very fast, so it’s very unique compared to any other sport that most people watch.”
Guildford are the newest team in the league, having joined nearly a decade ago, but the uptick of interest in the sport could see the league expanding within a few years – according to Humphreys
The Flames will continue their season this weekend as they are set to face the Manchester Storm in the Challenge Cup.
All photo credits: John Unwins, Guildford Flames
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