Manchulenko Registers Hat Trick Helps Colts Punch Their Ticket to 2025 City Championships -

Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos

At the John Rhodes Centre on Wednesday, February 19th, the Korah Colts hit the ice with a 1-0 series lead in their best-of-three semi-final matchup against the Superior Heights Steelhawks in Sault Ste. Marie High School Hockey League action. With a victory in game two, the Colts had the opportunity to secure their spot in the 2025 Sault Ste. Marie High School Hockey League city championship against the CASS Huskies.

Korah wasted no time setting the tone, as William Pusch opened the scoring with his first goal of the postseason at 6:08 of the first period. Tucker Deschamps and Preston Miller picked up assists on Pusch’s tally, giving the Colts an early 1-0 lead.

The Colts extended their lead just 45 seconds into the second period when Preston Miller netted his second goal of the playoffs unassisted to make it 2-0. Korah continued to press, and at the seven-minute mark, Koen Manchulenko found the back of the net for his second goal of the postseason, pushing the lead to 3-0. Ethan Ferguson and Miller registered the assists on the play.

With the Colts on the power play in the third period, Manchulenko struck again at 11:49, beating Superior Heights goaltender Jacob Nelson to increase the lead to 4-0. Ferguson added another assist on Manchulenko’s second of the afternoon.

The Steelhawks refused to go down without a fight, capitalizing on a power play opportunity of their own. Cameron Hernden notched his first goal of the postseason just before the midway mark of the period, pulling Superior Heights within three. Chad Gendron and Callum Peterson recorded assists on the goal.

However, Korah would not be denied, and with 8:54 remaining in the game, Manchulenko completed his hat trick, firing home his third goal of the afternoon to seal a dominant 5-1 victory for the Colts. Ferguson tallied his second assist of the game on the goal.

With the victory, the Korah Colts secured their place in the 2025 Sault Ste. Marie High School Hockey League city championship series, where they will face the CASS Huskies. The best-of-five championship series kicks off on Friday, February 21st, at the Northern Community Centre with a 3:30 p.m. puck drop.