RECAP: HAMMERS BATTLE TO THE FINAL HORN IN TORONTO

The Hamilton Hammers (1-1-0-0) suffered their first loss of the season Saturday, falling 5-3 to the Toronto Marlies (1-1-0-0), the AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, at Coca-Cola Coliseum.

Here’s what happened:

THE SUMMARY

The Marlies struck four times in the opening period, with Brendan Brisson scoring twice, while Noah Chadwick and Landon Sim also found the back of the net.

In the second, Toronto’s Logan Shaw scored in opening minute but Hamilton responded with a pair of goals from Pierre Engvall (2) and Ethan Bear (1). Liam Foudy picked up the primary assist on Bear’s goal, his team-leading fourth on the young season.

Hamilton continued to battle back in the third, with Foudy (1) cutting into the deficit with helpers from Marshall Warren and Daylan Kuefler. Despite a flurry of Hamilton chances late in the frame, that would be all the scoring.

Josh Kotai (0-1-0) turned aside 30 of 35 shots in his first AHL and professional start, while Toronto’s Artur Akhtyamov (1-0-0) stopped 24 of 27 shots to backstop the Marlies to the win.

NEXT ON THE CALENDAR

The Hammers return to TD Coliseum for Home Opener Weekend, welcoming these same Marlies to town on Friday, October 9 and Sunday, October 11. Tickets are available at HamiltonHammers.com, starting as low as $28, inclusive of fees and taxes. Both games will also be available to watch live on FloHockey.tv.

Following Home Opener Weekend, the Hammers remain at home for two more games, hosting the Rochester Americans on October 16 before welcoming the Syracuse Crunch to TD Coliseum on October 18.