RECAP: HAMMERS FALL IN FIRST MEETING WITH AMERICANS

Oct 16, 2026

Game Summary
Game Highlights
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The Hamilton Hammers (1-3-0-1) hosted the Rochester Americans (3-1-0-1) on Friday night at TD Coliseum, falling 4-1 in the first of six meetings between the teams this season.

Rochester built a three-goal lead through two periods before Daniil Prokhorov scored his first goal of the season and the first of his AHL career late in the third. The goal provided a bright spot for the Hammers, with rookie Quinn Finley picking up his first professional point on the play.

The matchup was one of 10 games on the American Hockey League schedule Friday night.

Here’s how it unfolded:

THE NIGHT IN REVIEW

The Hammers and Americans traded chances in an eventful opening frame, but Rochester struck twice to take control early. Jake Richard (2) opened the scoring before Zac Funk (1) added another to give the visitors a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes.

Ryan Healey appeared to get the Hammers on the board just over two minutes into the middle frame, but Rochester successfully challenged the play for offside, wiping away the goal. The Americans added to their lead later in the period when Trevor Kuntar (3) slipped one across the goal line to make it 3-0 heading into the third.

Daniil Prokhorov (1) got the home crowd on their feet with less than four minutes remaining in the final frame, finding the back of the net to get the Hammers on the board. Rochester’s Jason Polin (3) added an empty-net goal late to secure the 4-1 final.

Vitek Vanecek turned aside an impressive 38 of 41 shots for the Hammers, while Matthew Villalta stopped 24 of the 25 shots he faced from Hamilton.

ROOKIE DEBUT FOR FINLEY

Quinn Finley made his professional debut, slotting into the Hammers’ starting lineup on the top line. The former University of Wisconsin forward recorded a secondary assist on Prokhorov’s third-period goal.

HOMESTAND FINALE

The Hammers wrap up their four-game homestand Sunday afternoon against the Syracuse Crunch at TD Coliseum before hitting the road for three straight games. Tickets are available now at HamiltonHammers.com. Fans can also watch live on Cable14 and AHLTV on FloHockey.