PREVIEW: HAMMERS, MARLIES CLASH ON THANKSGIVING SUNDAY
Oct 11, 2026
The Hamilton Hammers (1-1-0-1) return to TD Coliseum on Thanksgiving Sunday to wrap up Home Opener Weekend against the Toronto Marlies (2-1-0-0), the AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It’s the third meeting between the provincial rivals in just eight days.
Friday marked the long-awaited return of AHL hockey to Hamilton for the first time since 2015, with an electric crowd at TD Coliseum bringing plenty of energy for the Hammers’ home debut.
“It’s a great feeling to come back to this type of fan support,” said Hammers Head Coach Jay McKee following Friday’s game. McKee added that the players and coaching staff could feel the energy inside the building from start to finish.
Now, the Hammers will look to feed off that home-ice energy, give fans another reason to celebrate this Thanksgiving and get one back against a familiar opponent.
Puck drop is scheduled for shortly after 3:00 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the action live on Cable14 and AHLTV on FloHockey, with tickets available at HamiltonHammers.com.
WE MEET AGAIN
It’s only October, but the Hammers and Marlies are already getting to know each other pretty well. Toronto has come out on top in all three meetings, including the preseason, but these games have been anything but dull. Both the preseason matchup and Friday’s home opener needed a shootout to settle things.
Liam Foudy has led the way for Hamilton in the two regular-season meetings, putting up two goals and an assist. Toronto holds a slim 66-59 edge in shots, while the teams have combined for 58 penalty minutes, showing this rivalry is already bringing plenty of physicality and emotion.
With another chapter set for Sunday afternoon, the Hammers will look to turn the tables, pick up their first win over the Marlies and close out Home Opener Weekend with a win in front of the home crowd.
CHAFFEE IS ROLLING
Mitchell Chaffee is off to a flying start, scoring four goals in his first three games, including the first hat trick in Hammers franchise history in the season opener. He found the back of the net again in Friday’s home opener against Toronto, putting him tied for second in the AHL in goals and tied for sixth in points with five.
With his scoring touch on full display, the Hammers will look to keep him rolling as the rivalry continues Sunday.
SPECIAL TEAMS, SPECIAL RESULTS?
When these two teams get together, the power play could be a big factor. Hamilton opened the season by converting three of its first 13 opportunities, and the man advantage continued to produce in Friday’s home opener with another goal on four chances.
Toronto has been dangerous, too, scoring once on three power plays Friday after converting twice in its first two games.
The Hammers have shown they can make teams pay with the extra skater. Now, they'll look to clean things up on the penalty kill and win the special-teams battle.
LETTIERI HAS BEEN A HANDFUL
Vinni Lettieri made life difficult for the Hammers on Friday night. The Toronto forward scored twice in regulation, including the third-period equalizer that erased Hamilton’s 4-3 lead, before sealing the 5-4 shootout win.
Captain Logan Shaw also brings plenty of experience to the lineup, while Brendan Brisson scored twice in Toronto’s October 3 win.
The Hammers will need to keep those difference-makers in check, especially when the pressure ramps up late.
THE HOMESTAND ROLLS ON
There’s no shortage of hockey coming up at TD Coliseum. After Sunday, the Hammers continue their four-game homestand with matchups against the Rochester Americans on October 16 and Syracuse Crunch on October 18 before hitting the road for three straight games. Tickets are available now at HamiltonHammers.com.