RECAP: HAMMERS DROP DECISION TO MARLIES
Nov 4, 2026
Game Summary
Game Highlights
Photo Gallery
The Hamilton Hammers (3-8-0-2) opened their three-game homestand Wednesday night at TD Coliseum, falling 5-1 to the Toronto Marlies (7-4-1-0).
It was Student Night, presented by Mohawk College, as the Hammers battled Toronto through 40 minutes before the Marlies pulled away in the final frame. Quinn Finley scored Hamilton's lone goal, converting on the power play to get the Hammers on the board.
Here's how the action played out:
THE SUMMARY
Both teams traded chances in a physical first period, with Liam Foudy getting the best look to break the deadlock on the power play, but he couldn't beat the Toronto’s Samuel Hlavaj. The Marlies held a 13-10 edge in shots after 20 minutes, with Josh Kotai making several key saves late in the frame to keep the game scoreless.
The back-and-forth play continued in the second period, with Pierre Engvall helping lead a three-on-one rush but Matt Luff rung his shot off the right post. Toronto broke through before the midway mark, as Matthew Barbolini (1) scored his first of the season, assisted by Noah Chadwick and Reese Johnson. The Marlies carried the one-goal advantage into the third period, marking the third time this season the two teams have entered the final frame separated by just one goal.
Toronto extended its lead early in the third, with Borya Valis (3) finding the back of the net off a scramble in front just over two minutes into the period. Brendan Brisson and Henrik Rybinski picked up the assists. Brisson (8) followed shortly after with a goal of his own, pushing the Marlies' lead to three.
Finley (2) gave Hamilton a spark with 12:56 remaining, hammering a one-timer on the power play past Hlavaj. Ryan Healey and Cam Thiesing drew the assists as the Hammers got on the board.
However, a shorthanded goal from Landon Sim (2) quieted the TD Coliseum crowd with less than seven minutes remaining, restoring Toronto's three-goal cushion. Reese Johnson (1) added an empty-net goal late as the Marlies closed out the victory.
Kotai, making his fourth start in the last five games, turned aside 22 of 26 shots for the Hammers. Hlavaj stopped 23 of 24 for the Marlies in the win.
SPECIAL TEAMS TAKEAWAYS
Hamilton's penalty kill delivered a strong performance Wednesday against one of the AHL's most dangerous power plays. Toronto entered the night ranked second in the league at 28.6 per cent and had converted five of its 14 opportunities combined in four previous meetings with the Hammers.
This time around, Hamilton contained the visitors, limiting Toronto's chances with the man advantage and keeping the Marlies off the scoresheet on their two power-play opportunities.
At the other end, the Hammers converted one of their three power-play opportunities on the night, with Finley providing the lone marker.
WEEKEND MATCHUPS AHEAD
Hamilton continues its homestand on Friday, welcoming the Providence Bruins for Canadian Armed Forces Night before hosting the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Saturday. Both games get underway at 7:00 p.m. ET, with live coverage available on CABLE14 and AHLTV on FloHockey. Tickets are available at HamiltonHammers.com.