RECAP: HAMMERS HOME OPENER DELIVERS A THRILLER
Oct 9, 2026
Game Summary
Game Highlights
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More than 14,000 fans packed TD Coliseum on Friday night as the Hamilton Hammers (1-1-0-1) hosted the Toronto Marlies (2-1-0-0) in the club’s inaugural home opener. The night was a celebration of Hamilton, its passionate hockey community and the return of the American Hockey League to the city.
Meeting for the second time in under a week, the two teams brought the intensity from the opening puck drop. In the end, it was Toronto that came away with a 5-4 shootout win.
Here’s what happened:
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
The Hammers came out flying, and Kashawn Aitcheson wasted no time getting the crowd on its feet with his physical play. Cole Eiserman (1) followed with the first goal in Hammers history at TD Coliseum, giving Hamilton the early lead. Toronto’s Michael Pezzetta (1) answered just 39 seconds later, but Mitchell Chaffee (4) put the Hammers back in front before Ryan Tverberg (1) evened the score at two after the opening period.
The back-and-forth action continued in the second. Vinni Lettieri (1) put Toronto ahead just 25 seconds into the frame, but Liam Foudy (2) responded for Hamilton, with Chaffee and Ethan Bear picking up the assists. Then came a moment the home crowd won't soon forget, as Hamilton native Brandon Scanlin (1) found the back of the net to send TD Coliseum into a frenzy. The Hammers carried a 4-3 lead into the third.
Lettieri (2) struck again for Toronto just before the halfway mark of the third period, tying the game at four and sending it to overtime. After neither team could find a winner in the extra frame, Lettieri scored the deciding goal in the shootout to give the Marlies the victory.
Vitek Vanecek stopped 27 of 32 shots for Hamilton, while Artur Akhtyamov turned aside 28 of 32 shots to earn the win for Toronto.
A HOMETOWN MOMENT
Hamilton native Brandon Scanlin received a loud ovation from the hometown crowd Friday night, with dozens of family and friends in the stands. The defenceman grew up in the city, making his first goal at TD Coliseum an extra-special moment for both Scanlin and the Hamilton faithful.
Earlier this week, Scanlin spoke about what it means to represent his hometown, saying, “I love the city. I love the people in this city, and to be able to represent the city is something that's pretty special to me.”
FOUDY EXTENDS POINT STREAK
Liam Foudy continued his strong start to the season with another goal Friday night, finding the back of the net early in the second period. Foudy continues to lead the Hammers with six points through three games, continuing to make an impact as Hamilton opens its inaugural season.
HOMESTAND CONTINUES SUNDAY
The Hammers and Marlies are back at it Sunday afternoon as Home Opener Weekend wraps up at TD Coliseum. Puck drop is set for 3:00 p.m. ET on Thanksgiving Sunday, with tickets starting at $28, inclusive of fees and taxes, at HamiltonHammers.com. Fans can also catch all the action live on Cable14 and FloHockey.