CRUNCH HOME FOR LONE GAME THIS WEEK 
 
The Syracuse Crunch host the Hamilton Hammers tonight at Upstate Medical University Arena.
 
After finishing a stretch of five games in eight days last weekend, tonight is the Crunch's only contest in a 12-day span. It marks the second of six matches between the Crunch and Hammers this season. Syracuse defeated Hamilton, 4-3, on Oct. 18.
 
BROADCAST COVERAGE
 
Countdown to Crunch Time at 6:45 p.m.
Streaming: Pay-to-watch video via AHLTV on FloHockey | www.syracusecrunch.com/watch
Radio: ESPN Radio Syracuse | www.espncny.com
 
LAST TIME OUT

Jakob Pelletier netted a hat trick to help the Crunch blast past the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 7-2, Saturday at the PPL Center.
 
Syracuse fell behind 30 seconds into the game, but then the Crunch rattled off six straight goals to blow things open. Jansen Harkins and Elliot Desnoyers tallied in the first period to make it 2-1.
 
Pelletier's hat trick came in the second period as part of a four-goal frame for the Crunch. Gabriel Szturc scored the other second period goal and added his second goal of the game in the third period. 
 
Olivier Rodrigue made 21 saves to earn his second straight win. 
 
NOT BACKING DOWN 
 
The Crunch finished last week with a pair of rough and tumble games. Friday's contest against Rochester featured three fights in the first period, and the clubs combined with 64 penalty minutes. That paled in comparison to Saturday's contest in Lehigh Valley, where the Crunch racked up 52 penalty minutes and the Phantoms finished with 97. The 149 combined penalty minutes are the most in a game in the AHL this season.
 
The Crunch rank second in the AHL by averaging 24.56 penalty minutes per game. Opponents are averaging 27.11 penalty minutes in games played against the Crunch.
 
PELLETIER SHINES ON THE ROAD 
 
Forward Jakob Pelletier broke through on Saturday for his second career hat trick to power the Crunch to their 7-2 win in Lehigh Valley. Pelletier completed the hat trick in a span of 18 minutes and 21 seconds during the team's four-goal second period. The first of his three tallies proved to be the game-winning goal.
 
Pelletier, 25, now has seven points (4g, 3a) in nine games this season. It was his first multi-point game of the season after he posted 23 such contests last season en route to winning the AHL's scoring title. The hat trick was his first since March 9, 2022, vs. San Diego. He is the first Crunch player with a hat trick since Dylan Duke on Nov. 11, 2025, at Utica. 
 
SCOUTING THE HAMMERS
 
The Hammers started the year 1-6-0-1 but are coming off back-to-back wins as they travel to Syracuse for the first time in team history. It's the first time a Hamilton franchise has played in Syracuse since the Bulldogs were last here on March 15, 2014. 
 
The Hammers (3-6-0-1) are currently last in the North Division with seven points through 10 games. They are led by Liam Foudy in points (11) and assists (8). Captain Matthew Highmore netted the overtime game-winning goal last night. He is tied for the team lead with four goals, including two game winners.
 
ABRUZZESE REACHES MILESTONE 
 
Nick Abruzzese had the primary assist on all three Jakob Pelletier goals on Saturday. It tied his career high for assists and points in a game. It was his third career three-assist game and eighth career three-point game. His first assist of the night marked his 200th career AHL point in 276 games.
 
Abruzzese, 27, paces the Crunch with eight points and is tied for the team lead with five assists.