PREVIEW: HAMMERS LOOK TO KEEP ROLLING IN SYRACUSE
Oct 30, 2026
Riding the momentum of a dramatic overtime win, the Hamilton Hammers (3-6-0-1) are back on the road Friday night for a matchup with the Syracuse Crunch (4-4-1-0). It marks the second meeting between the North Division rivals this season.
Captain Matthew Highmore played the hero against Hartford on Thursday, scoring twice, including the overtime winner, to give Hamilton its first home victory. The Hammers will aim to keep things rolling, with puck drop set for 7:00 p.m. ET at Upstate Medical University Arena. Catch all the action live on AHLTV on FloHockey.
Here’s a closer look at Friday’s matchup:
CARRYING THE MOMENTUM
Hamilton is starting to find its stride, winning two of its last three games and showing plenty of fight along the way. The Hammers erased an early two-goal deficit against Hartford before finishing the comeback in overtime, a positive sign as they head into another divisional matchup.
Highmore continues to lead by example, recording three goals over his last two games. The captain has delivered in key moments, scoring the game-winner in Saturday's road victory over Laval before adding two more against Hartford.
Hamilton's power play is also starting to click, going four-for-eight against the Wolf Pack. With Cole Eiserman, Hunter Drew and Highmore among those converting with the man advantage, the Hammers will look to keep that production going against a Syracuse penalty kill that has had its struggles early this season.
ANOTHER CRACK AT THE CRUNCH
The Hammers make their first trip to Syracuse looking to even the season series after a 4-3 loss to the Crunch at TD Coliseum on October 18.
Hamilton battled back from a three-goal deficit in that matchup, getting goals from Cam Thiesing, Daylan Kuefler and Liam Foudy, but couldn’t complete the comeback. Josh Kotai was a bright spot for the Hammers, stopping 15 of 16 Crunch shots in just over 50 minutes of relief between the pipes.
The Hammers will get another opportunity to measure themselves against their North Division rivals Friday.
CRUNCH COMING OFF BIG WIN
Syracuse enters Friday’s matchup coming off an impressive 7-2 road win over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on October 24. The Crunch erupted for four goals in the second period, with Jakob Pelletier recording a hat trick and Elliot Desnoyers adding a goal and an assist. After a stretch of five games in eight days, Syracuse has had a few days to regroup ahead of its meeting with Hamilton in Upstate New York.
Nick Abruzzese and Pelletier have been key contributors to Syracuse’s offence. Abruzzese leads the Crunch with eight points (three goals, five assists) through nine games, while Pelletier has seven points (four goals, three assist). Hamilton will need to keep both forwards in check to slow down a Crunch offence that scored 18 times in its last five outings.
COMING UP
The Hammers wrap up their three-games-in-four-nights stretch on Sunday with a visit to the Utica Comets at the NBT Bank Arena. Catch all the action live on AHLTV on FloHockey.
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.