RECAP: HAMMERS FALL IN WILD THIRD-PERIOD FINISH
Nov 6, 2026
Game Summary
Game Highlights
Photo Gallery
The Hamilton Hammers (3-9-0-2) came up just short Friday night, as the Providence Bruins (6-6-0-0) rallied late to take a 5-4 decision.
Hamilton carried a 3-0 lead into the final frame and restored its two-goal advantage late, but Providence mounted a five-goal third period to steal the victory. Mikey Eyssimont scored three times, including the game-winner with just 25 seconds remaining.
It was Canadian Armed Forces Night at TD Coliseum, as the Hammers recognized and honoured Canadian Armed Forces members throughout the evening.
Here's how it unfolded:
THE SUMMARY
Joey Larson (3) got the night started for Hamilton, burying the rebound off a Kashawn Aitcheson shot less than five minutes into the opening frame. Ethan Bear picked up an assist, the 196th of his professional career.
Liam Foudy (4) then doubled the Hammers' lead with 5:09 remaining in the period, extending his team-leading point total to 12. Larson recorded his second point of the night with the primary assist, while Robby Fabbri picked up the secondary helper.
Providence controlled much of the shot volume in the opening frame, outshooting Hamilton 18-8, but the Hammers carried a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
The Hammers picked up right where they left off to start the second period, as Pierre Engvall (3) found the top corner with 8:42 on the clock, burying another rebound off a Matt Luff shot to extend the Hammers' lead. Hamilton continued to keep Providence's dangerous attack at bay, with Vítek Vaněček turning aside another 11 shots to bring his two-period total to 29 saves. The Hammers carried a 3-0 advantage into the second intermission.
After being held off the scoresheet through 40 minutes, Providence finally broke through less than five minutes into the third period, as Riley Duran (2) slipped one past Vaněček to pull the Bruins within two. The visitors continued to push, with Alex Steeves (2) cleaning up his own rebound to make it a one-goal game with just under 10 minutes left.
Cam Thiesing (3) found the back of the net with just over three minutes remaining in regulation, restoring the Hammers' two-goal cushion at 4-2.
However, Providence had other plans. Eyssimont (11, 12) struck twice in a span of just 60 seconds to erase Hamilton's lead and bring the game level at four. The Bruins weren't finished there, as Eyssimont (13) completed the natural hat trick with just 25 seconds remaining, capping a stunning five-goal third-period comeback to give Providence a 5-4 win.
Vaněček faced 51 shots from Providence, turning aside 46 in the loss, while Simon Zajíček made 24 saves on 28 shots to backstop the Bruins' victory.
Hamilton couldn't capitalize on four power-play opportunities, while Providence converted once on three chances with the man advantage.
NEW ARRIVALS
The Hammers welcomed two new additions to the lineup Friday, as Fabbri and Antonio Stranges made their debuts after signing professional tryout agreements earlier that morning. Fabbri made an immediate impact, picking up an assist on Foudy's first-period goal to record his first point in a Hammers uniform.
ENGVALL REACHES 200-POINT MILESTONE
With his second-period goal, Engvall reached the 200-point milestone in his North American professional career. Now in his 10th pro season, the veteran forward has appeared in 380 NHL games, recording 135 points (65 goals, 70 assists), along with 65 points (34 goals, 31 assists) in 114 AHL games.
ROSTER UPDATE
Alongside the debuts of Fabbri and Stranges, defenceman Marshall Warren also returned to the Hammers lineup Friday after missing the previous four games. Warren has appeared in 10 games this season, recording three assists.
HOMESTAND FINALE SATURDAY
Hamilton wraps up its three-game homestand Saturday when the Lehigh Valley Phantoms make their lone visit to TD Coliseum this season. Game time is 7:00 p.m. ET, with live coverage available on CABLE14 and AHLTV on FloHockey. Tickets are available at HamiltonHammers.com.