At the 2026 OFSAA AA Boys Hockey Championships on Tuesday, March 24th, the eighth-ranked Korah Colts rebounded from their opening game loss with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over the thirteenth-ranked É.S. L’Essor Eagles in round robin action. Coming off a narrow 3-2 defeat to the Fort Frances Muskies, the Colts entered the afternoon matchup determined to even their record—and did just that with a strong, disciplined performance.

The opening period saw special teams take center stage. The Eagles struck first on the powerplay at 14:15, when Parker Janisse scored his first goal of the championships, finishing a play set up by Calder Lappan to give É.S. L’Essor a 1-0 lead. The Colts answered back late in the period, also with the man advantage. At 3:30, Maxim Battocchio netted his first of the tournament with an unassisted effort, tying the game 1-1 heading into the intermission.

Korah carried momentum into the second period and capitalized again on the powerplay. At 4:56, Tyler Lang buried his first goal of the championships, with Koen Manchulenko picking up the assist, giving the Colts their first lead of the game at 2-1.

In the third period, É.S. L’Essor battled back to even the score. At 7:39, Parker Janisse struck again on the powerplay—his second goal of the game and tournament—this time unassisted, tying the game at 2-2. However, the Colts responded quickly and decisively. Just over six minutes later, at 00:45, Donny Hernden scored his first of the championships, finishing a play from Deago Campagna to restore Korah’s lead at 3-2.

With the Eagles pressing late and their net empty, the Colts sealed the victory in the final seconds. At 00:17, Maxim Battocchio scored his second goal of the game and tournament into the empty net, with Koen Manchulenko earning his second assist of the afternoon, securing the 4-2 win.

In goal, Payton Melchiorre stood tall for the Colts, delivering a solid performance between the pipes, while Edwin Stallard handled duties for É.S. L’Essor.

“We were getting closer to our spots and moving our feet after receiving/retrieving pucks. We started finding our own tape a little with some passes. We still aren’t firing on all cylinders but we are working our way through it. We were mentally more tough and it resulted in a late goal in the last 40 seconds. Donny Hernden has been so steady for us and battling so hard so it’s nice to see one go in for him in a big moment. Our backs are 100% up against the wall and facing down the second seed in Sydenham. We will have to find the proper response here in a massive game. No team I would rather go into a do or die game than these guys, said coach Dustin Grondin.

With the victory, the eighth-ranked Colts improve to (1-1) at the 2026 championships and will look to carry that momentum into their next challenge. Korah is set to face the second-ranked Sydenham Golden Eagles (2-0) on Wednesday, March 25th at 10:15 a.m in Belleville as round robin play continues.