RECAP: HAMMERS DROP ROAD MATCHUP WITH CRUNCH

Oct 30, 2026

Game Summary
Game Highlights

The Hamilton Hammers (3-7-0-1) visited the Syracuse Crunch (5-4-1-0) on Friday night at Upstate Medical University Arena, dropping a 7-0 decision.

Hamilton entered the matchup on the heels of back-to-back victories including a dramatic 5-4 overtime win against Hartford on Friday night. However, the Crunch had other plans, jumping out to an early lead and never looking back. Jakob Pelletier recorded a hat trick, while Mads Søgaard stopped all 21 shots he faced on the evening.

Here are the details:

THE SUMMARY

Syracuse opened the scoring early in the first when a blocked shot sent Maxim Groshev (2) in alone, beating Vitek Vanecek with a wrist shot to the far side. Pelletier (5) doubled the Crunch lead before Vanecek came up with a highlight-reel kick save to prevent another.

Hamilton had chances of its own, including on a four-on-three power play, but couldn't capitalize. Syracuse added a third late in the period when Dyllan Gill hit the post and Noah Steen (2) buried the deflection to make it 3-0 heading into the first intermission.

The Crunch continued to pull away in the second, with Pelletier (6) scoring his second of the night shorthanded. Gill (1) and Jansen Harkins (3) added goals to extend the lead to 6-0.

Pelletier (7) completed his hat trick in a penalty-filled third period, while Søgaard earn his second shutout of the season.

Vanecek finished with 13 saves on 19 shots through two periods, while Josh Kotai made 13 saves on 14 shots in relief, including turning away a penalty shot chance.

Hamilton couldn't capitalize on any of its five power-play opportunities, while Syracuse went two-for-six with the man advantage.

LOOKING AHEAD TO SUNDAY

As the calendar flips to November, Hamilton’s New York road trip continues Sunday in Utica, where the Hammers take on the Comets at NBT Bank Arena. Watch this game 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.