Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos

In Sault Ste. Marie High School Hockey League action at the John Rhodes Centre, the third-place Korah Colts delivered a commanding performance against the fourth-place White Pines Wolverines on Sunday, December 7th. Backed by a hat trick from Koen Manchulenko and a second consecutive shutout from goaltender Payton Melchiorre, the Colts controlled the pace from start to finish.

Korah opened the scoring at 7:39 of the first period when Max Battacchio netted his sixth of the season, assisted by Manchulenko and Preston Miller. The Colts’ momentum continued to build in the second period as they piled on three more goals. At 13:35, Deago Campagna tallied his 16th of the season on a setup from Bodie Belair and Miller. Just 24 seconds later, Belair made it 3–0 with his ninth of the year, assisted by Campagna and Ryan Johnson. With 1:20 remaining in the frame, Manchulenko struck for his first of the night—his 11th of the season—off a feed from Tyler Lang and Tyler Neveau, giving Korah a 4–0 lead heading into the third.

Manchulenko continued his offensive tear in the final period, scoring his 12th of the season at 12:18 with assists from Belair and Hayden Joseph. Less than three minutes later, he completed the hat trick at 9:38—his 13th of the year—thanks to a setup from Battacchio. The Colts sealed the victory at 3:21 with a shorthanded marker by Miller, his fifth of the season, assisted by Jackson Burrows.

Korah’s Payton Melchiorre was perfect between the pipes, earning his second straight win and second shutout of the season. At the other end, White Pines goaltender Ben Potter battled hard despite the steady pressure.

Athletes of the Game were awarded to White Pines’ Ben Potter and Korah’s standout forward, Koen Manchulenko.

White Pines returns to action on Sunday, December 14th when they face the St. Mary’s Knights, while Korah prepares for an 8:00 p.m. puck drop that same night against the Superior Heights Steelhawks.