RECAP: VANĚČEK, HAMMERS CAPTURE WIN OVER HERSHEY
Nov 11, 2026
The Hamilton Hammers (5-9-0-2) continued to build momentum Wednesday night, opening their four-game road trip with a 4-1 victory over the Hershey Bears (8-6-0-0).
The Hammers scored four unanswered goals to secure their second consecutive win. Pierre Engvall netted the game-winner, Robby Fabbri recorded his second straight two-point performance, and Vítek Vaněček was sharp in his return to Hershey, stopping 34 of 35 shots.
Here's what stood out from the win:
THE SUMMARY
The Bears opened the scoring 6:08 into the first period, as Bogdan Trineyev (5) capitalized on a rebound to give Hershey an early 1-0 lead. Hamilton looked to respond, with Fabbri getting a partial breakaway opportunity, but the Bears maintained their advantage and held a 13-7 edge in shots through the opening frame.
The Hammers came close to tying the game just 24 seconds into the second period, but Cam Thiesing was turned aside by Hershey netminder Mitch Gibson. Hamilton continued to apply pressure and eventually broke through, as Quinn Finley (4) buried a setup from Fabbri and Ethan Bear to even the score. Vaněček stopped all 14 shots he faced in the period, sending the teams into the second intermission tied 1-1.
The game remained even through the first half of the third period before Hamilton got its second power-play opportunity of the night with exactly 10 minutes remaining. Engvall (5) made it count, converting a feed from Marshall Warren and Antonio Stranges to give the Hammers a 2-1 lead.
Hamilton added some insurance with 1:40 remaining, as Fabbri (1) scored his first goal in a Hammers uniform. Liam Foudy and Bear picked up the assists, extending Foudy’s point streak to three games and giving Bear his first multi-point performance of the season.
Matt Luff (4) added an empty-net goal to seal the 4-1 victory, his third marker in the last five games. Foudy and Engvall collected the assists, giving both forwards another multi-point night.
Vaněček came up with several key saves to secure the win and earn first-star honours, while Gibson turned aside 22 shots for Hershey.
Hamilton converted on one of its two power-play opportunities, while Hershey came up empty on its lone chance.
VANĚČEK SHINES IN RETURN TO HERSHEY
In his first game back in Hershey after spending four years with the Bears and making 142 appearances, Vaněček received a warm welcome from the home crowd, including a video tribute during the first period. He spoiled the reunion by turning aside 34 of 35 shots in the victory, marking his third 30-save outing of the season and the 194th victory of his North American professional career, which is approaching the 400-game mark.
ENGVALL CONTINUES SCORING SURGE
The goals keep coming for Engvall, who found the back of the net for the third straight game Wednesday night. With a third-period assist adding to his total, he’s recorded six points over that stretch and 13 (five goals, eight assists) on the season, putting him two points behind Foudy for the team lead.
FABBRI KEEPS MAKING HIS MARK
Fabbri continues to make an impression early in his Hammers tenure. With an assist on Finley’s goal and a late third-period marker of his own, Fabbri has recorded at least one point in each of his first three games since signing with Hamilton on Friday, totaling five points (one goal, four assists).
COMING UP NEXT
Hamilton has three more stops on its road swing, beginning Friday night in Lehigh Valley. The Hammers and Phantoms are set for a 7:05 p.m. EST puck drop before Hamilton heads to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Cleveland to wrap up the trip. Fans can follow along live on AHLTV on FloHockey.
The Hammers return to TD Coliseum on November 20 for a special matchup against the Belleville Senators, marking the team’s inaugural Hockey Fights Cancer game in partnership with St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation. Fans will have the opportunity to bid on specialty warm-up jerseys, with all proceeds going toward robotic-assisted cancer surgery and care at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Secure your seats at HamiltonHammers.com, and tune in live on CABLE14 and AHLTV on FloHockey.