PREVIEW: HAMMERS OPEN FOUR-GAME ROAD TRIP IN HERSHEY
Nov 11, 2026
The Hamilton Hammers (4-9-0-2) are back on the road Wednesday night, opening a four-game road trip with their first-ever meeting against the Hershey Bears (8-5-0-0).
Coming off a strong team effort in Saturday's 6-3 win over Lehigh Valley, highlighted by six different goal scorers, the Hammers will look to carry that offensive momentum into another Atlantic Division matchup. Meanwhile, Hershey aims to build on a strong finish to their weekend series against Springfield, bouncing back from a Friday loss with a convincing 6-1 win Saturday.
Puck drop is schedule for shortly after 7:00 p.m. EST with live coverage available on AHLTV on FloHockey.
Here's what to keep an eye on:
FINDING SUCCESS AGAINST THE ATLANTIC
As the Hammers get set for their first and only trip to Giant Center this season, the team has enjoyed some success against Atlantic Division opponents thus far. Hamilton has put together a 2-1-0-0 record through its first three meetings, with the wins coming Saturday against the Phantoms and a 5-4 overtime victory against Hartford back on October 29.
The offence has been clicking in those matchups, with the Hammers piling up 15 goals and converting on five of 15 power-play opportunities. Pierre Engvall has been a key contributor, collecting five points (two goals, three assists) across that stretch.
Hamilton will look to keep that momentum rolling, as three of its four games on this road trip are against Atlantic Division opponents.
KEEPING THE MOMENTUM GOING
Cam Thiesing, Liam Foudy and Engvall enter Wednesday's matchup riding hot streaks. Thiesing has recorded at least one point in three straight games, while Foudy and Engvall have each found the back of the net in back-to-back outings.
Foudy currently leads Hamilton with 13 points (five goals, eight assists), while Engvall sits close behind in second with 11 points (four goals, seven assists). Their recent production has been an important part of Hamilton’s attack, and all three will look to keep things rolling into the visit to Hershey.
FABBRI AND STRANGES SETTLING IN
Robby Fabbri and Antonio Stranges have wasted little time making their presence felt since joining the Hammers on Friday.
Fabbri has collected three points in his first two games, while Stranges recorded his first goal in a Hammers uniform Saturday against Lehigh Valley before adding an assist on Matt Luff's game-winning goal. The duo will look to keep building chemistry and contribute as the season progresses.
BEWARE THE BEARS
Hershey comes into the contest sitting second in the Atlantic Division, despite winning just two of their last five games. The Bears are coming off a split against Springfield last weekend, falling 4-2 on Friday before bouncing back with a convincing 6-1 victory on Saturday. They'll look to build on that offensive performance as they welcome Hamilton for a midweek matchup.
Andrew Cristall and Jonny Brodzinski have been leading the way offensively, with 11 points apiece to pace the Bears. Cristall has been particularly effective as a playmaker, recording 10 assists through the team's first 13 games, while Josh Dunne, Petr Sikora, and Brodzinski are tied for the team lead with five goals.
With four players already reaching double digits in points this season, the Hammers will need to be mindful of the Bears' offensive depth.
ROSTER UPDATE
Hamilton made a roster move Tuesday, loaning defenceman Chas Sharpe to the Trenton Ironhawks, the club's ECHL affiliate. The 22-year-old blueliner appeared in one game with the Hammers this season.
THE TRIP CONTINUES
The Hammers continue their four-game road trip Friday night in Lehigh Valley, with puck drop set for 7:05 p.m. EST. Hamilton will then make stops in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Cleveland before returning home. Catch all the action live on AHLTV on FloHockey.
Hamilton is back at TD Coliseum on November 20 to host the Belleville Senators for its inaugural Hockey Fights Cancer game in partnership with St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation. Specialty warm-up jerseys will be auctioned, with all proceeds supporting robotic-assisted cancer surgery and care at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Tickets are available at HamiltonHammers.com, with game broadcast live on CABLE14 and AHLTV on FloHockey.