RECAP: HAMMERS MAKE HISTORY WITH FIRST WIN, CHAFFEE HAT TRICK
Oct 2, 2026
One game. One win. And a lot of history.
The Hamilton Hammers (1-0-0-0) picked up their first win as a franchise Friday night, earning a 5-2 road victory over the Belleville Senators (0-1-0-0), the AHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators.
It did not take long for the Hammers to start making history. Less than three minutes into the game, Mitchell Chaffee beat Belleville goaltender Jonas Johansson to score the first goal, with Liam Foudy and Marshall Warren picking up the assists.
Chaffee was just getting started, adding two more goals in the third period to complete the first hat trick and power Hamilton to its first victory.
HISTORY IN BELLEVILLE
The Hammers took a one-goal advantage into the first intermission, while also holding an 11-7 edge in shots. Vitek Vanecek made a flurry of saves late in the opening period as the Senators applied pressure on the power play.
The second period brought more excitement, with Pierre Engvall extending the Hammers’ lead on the power play near the halfway mark of the frame. Kashawn Aitcheson picked up the assist for his first professional point in his AHL debut. Belleville responded with a goal of its own, as Xavier Bourgault found the back of the net with 4:56 remaining in the period to cut the Hammers’ lead to one.
The Hammers struck again in the final period, capitalizing on the power play once more as Chaffee scored his second of the game, with Foudy and Cole Eiserman picking up the helpers. Belleville’s Shane Bowers answered with just over five minutes remaining in regulation, cutting the Hammers’ lead to one and keeping the Senators within striking distance.
Chaffee completed his hat trick with just over three minutes remaining, putting the Hammers back up by two and capping a historic performance. Joey Larson then sealed the victory with an empty-net goal in the final minute, while Vanecek stopped 25 of 27 shots to earn the win.
MORE FIRSTS
Ryan Healey and Aitcheson both made their professional debuts, with Aitcheson also recording his first career point.
Behind the bench, head coach Jay McKee also picked up his first professional victory as the Hammers officially opened the franchise’s record book.
“I’m just happy for the guys” said McKee after the game. “I’m here for the players, not for myself, so I’m just happy for them to start the season the right way.”
MR. 200
Foudy took the ice for the 200th time in his AHL career and marked the milestone by recording three assists, including one on each of Chaffee’s three goals.
The Scarborough, Ontario native recorded 47 points, including 26 goals and 21 assists, in 60 games with Bridgeport last season, reaching the 20-goal mark for a second consecutive campaign.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Hammers now head to Toronto for the second half of a back-to-back to open the season, taking on the defending Calder Cup champion Marlies at 4:00 p.m. ET at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Fans can watch the game live on FloHockey.tv.
The Marlies will return to TD Coliseum during the Hammers inaugural Home Opener Weekend on October 9 and 11. Tickets are available now at HamiltonHammers.com, starting as low as $28, inclusive of fees and taxes.