PREVIEW: HAMILTON WRAPS UP WEEKEND IN UTICA
Nov 1, 2026
As the calendar flips to November, the Hamilton Hammers (3-7-0-1) wrap up a three-games-in-four-nights stretch Sunday afternoon with their first visit of the season to NBT Bank Arena to take on the Utica Comets (5-2-0-0). It marks the first of six meetings between the North Division opponents this season.
Hamilton split its two games earlier in the week and will look to close out the weekend with a win. Puck drop is set for 3:00 p.m. ET, with live coverage available on AHLTV on FloHockey.
Here are the key storylines heading into Sunday:
LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK
The Hammers will be eager to turn the page Sunday after a tough loss to the Syracuse Crunch on Friday night. Hamilton had entered the game winners of two straight, highlighted by a dramatic 5-4 overtime victory over Hartford on Thursday.
Captain Matthew Highmore was a driving force in that win, scoring twice, including the overtime winner, to extend his goal-scoring run to three goals over two games. The Hammers will look to recapture that energy against Utica and finish their busy stretch with a stronger performance.
FIRST LOOK AT THE COMETS
Utica has enjoyed a strong start to its campaign, earning wins over Providence, Rochester and Belleville before adding another victory against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday. The Comets enter the matchup winners of two of their last three, most recently picking up a 4-3 decision over the Penguins. Dmitry Osipov scored the game-winner with just 31 seconds remaining in regulation, while David Rittich turned aside 20 of 23 shots.
Lenni Hämeenaho has been a key contributor to the Comets' offence, leading the team with seven points (four goals, three assists) through seven games. Hamilton's defensive group will need to keep the forward in check and limit his time and space in the offensive zone as the Hammers look to come away with a victory.
A DYNAMIC DUO UP FRONT
Liam Foudy and Quinn Finley have been key pieces of Hamilton's offensive attack early this season.
Foudy leads the Hammers with 11 points (three goals, eight assists), providing a steady presence up front. The veteran forward has recorded at least a point in seven of his 10 appearances and put together a pair of three-game point streaks.
Finley is also finding his rhythm in his first professional season. The 22-year-old recorded his first AHL goal against Laval on October 23 before following it up with a three-assist performance on Friday. Skating alongside Foudy on the top line, Finley will look to build on that production as the Hammers search for offence against Utica.
CHANGES ON THE BLUELINE
Hamilton’s lineup has seen a few changes heading into Sunday's matchup with Utica.
On Saturday, the New York Islanders recalled defenceman Isaiah George from Hamilton, while blueliner Jesse Pulkkinen was reassigned from the Trenton Ironhawks to the Hammers. Pulkkinen returns to Hamilton after appearing in one game with the team earlier in the season.
MILESTONE WATCH
A couple of milestones are within reach for the Hammers on Sunday.
Defenceman Ethan Bear is one assist shy of recording his 100th career AHL assist, while forward Pierre Engvall needs just one point to reach 200 points for his professional career.
THREE-GAME HOMESTAND AHEAD
Hamilton returns to TD Coliseum on Wednesday to host the Toronto Marlies for Student Night presented by Mohawk College, opening a three-game homestand that also includes visits from the Providence Bruins and Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Tickets are available at HamiltonHammers.com, with live action available on CABLE14 and AHLTV on FloHockey.