Hamilton got the kind of opening night a new hockey home dreams about: a loud crowd, a few big goals and a moment that had TD Coliseum shaking. But tucked inside all that energy was the part the Hammers would rather not talk about.
Defenseman Isaiah George left in the second period Friday, and after the game head coach Jay McKee said the team does not expect him back anytime soon.
That’s a rough turn for George, who dealt with injuries for much of last season. It also lands at an unfortunate time.
Alexander Romanov’s season-ending injury had opened the door a little more at the NHL level, giving Hamilton defensemen a possible path upward. Now George is staring at another setback just as that chance appeared.
The night itself was still a memorable one for Hamilton. More than 14,000 fans filled TD Coliseum for the Hammers’ first home game as the American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, bringing the league back to a city that knows how to turn hockey into a celebration.
The Hammers gave that crowd plenty to react to before eventually dropping a 5-4 shootout decision to the Toronto Marlies.
Kashawn Aitcheson set the tone early with a physical edge, and Cole Eiserman scored the first Hammers goal at TD Coliseum. Michael Pezzetta tied it 39 seconds later, then Mitchell Chaffee and Toronto’s Ryan Tverberg each scored to leave things knotted at 2-2.
THE FIRST GOAL ON @hammersahl ICE BELONGS TO COLE EISERMAN🚨🔨 #TORvsHAM | 📺: https://t.co/c7LpJVTydY pic.twitter.com/nttqHqMjc1
- American Hockey League (@TheAHL) October 9, 2026
Vinni Lettieri pushed Toronto in front early in the second period, but Liam Foudy answered for Hamilton. Then Hamilton native Brandon Scanlin delivered the moment of the night, scoring to give the Hammers a 4-3 lead and sending the building into a roar.
Lettieri tied it again in the third and later scored the shootout winner.
Hamilton still walked away with a point and a first look at a team that clearly has some punch. Even so, George’s injury hangs over the night, and it’s the kind of problem that can linger long after the celebration fades.
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