RECAP: BERG, HIGHMORE FIND THE NET IN WEEKEND FINALE

Oct 11, 2026

HAMILTON, ON (October 11, 2026) – Thanksgiving Weekend hockey was on the menu this afternoon as the Hamilton Hammers (1-2-0-1) welcomed the Toronto Marlies (3-1-0-0) to TD Coliseum for the second time in three days. Toronto came away with a 5-2 victory.

The matchup was one of 10 games on the American Hockey League’s Sunday slate.

Here’s how it unfolded:

THE SUMMARY

Brendan Brisson (3) opened the scoring for Toronto just over two minutes into the game before striking again seven minutes later to give the Marlies a 2-0 lead heading into the second period.

Cameron Berg (1) got the Hammers on the board in the middle frame, burying his own rebound to cut into Toronto’s lead. The Hammers carried the play throughout the period, outshooting Toronto 11-5.

 

Matthew Highmore (1) pulled the Hammers even 3:22 into the third, with Marshall Warren and Matt Luff picking up the assists. Brisson (5) answered less than 30 seconds later, completing his first career hat trick. The Marlies added two empty-net goals late in the third to secure the 5-2 win.

Josh Kotai made 20 saves on 23 shots in his second career AHL start, while Samuel Hlavaj stopped 22 of Hamilton’s 24 shots.

FULL CIRCLE IN HAMILTON

Oakville, ON native Matt Luff recorded a pair of assists on the afternoon. The forward spent two seasons with the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs from 2015-17, making his return to the city this weekend a full-circle moment as he begins a new chapter with the Hammers.

“Hamilton has a special place in my heart. It’s where the dream became a reality of turning into a professional hockey player, and to be back now is kind of full circle. I’m excited for the year and to get back in the community,” Luff said postgame.

ENGVALL EXTENDS POINT STREAK

Pierre Engvall continued his hot start to the season, picking up the secondary assist on Cameron Berg’s second-period goal to extend his point streak to four games. Engvall has recorded at least one point in each of Hamilton’s first four games, totaling four goals and two assists

HOMESTAND CONTINUES

The Hammers continue their four-game homestand with a pair of matchups at TD Coliseum next weekend, welcoming the Rochester Americans on October 16 before taking on the Syracuse Crunch on October 18. Hamilton then hits the road for three straight games. Tickets are available now at HamiltonHammers.com. Fans can watch both games live on Cable14 and AHLTV on FloHockey.