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Hodgson Steps Up Game

Written by: Tyler Bodman on 25th November 2008

Cody Hodgson hopes his preformance so far this season will lead to a spot at the World Juniors in Ottawa | read this item

GUELPH – Brampton’s hot streak continued with Cody Hodgson leading team OHL over the Russians, 6-3 on Thursday, Nov. 21.

Hodgson was the player of the game for team OHL, scoring three goals, including a shorthanded, powerplay and an even strength game winner. He also added an assist. His Brampton teammate Evgeny Grachev was named player of the game for the Russians after he went backhand, five-hole on a shorthanded breakaway.

“It was a Brampton sweep today, because we won both the awards,” said a smiling Hodgson after the game. “It’s fun just to be on the ice with those guys. There’s a lot of great talent. Playing on a line with [John] Tavares and [Matt] Duchene on the powerplay I didn’t have to do much there, just tap in the puck beside the net. They did most of the work.”

Hodgson hopes that his performance in the game and with the Battalion so far this season will land him a spot on this years’ Team Canada at the World Junior Championships in Ottawa.

“It’s hard to tell now what’s going on and who’s going to make the team – but I thought Cody and I found each other”

“I hope so,” Hodgson answered when he was asked about making the team. “Playing with Patty [Quinn] at the under-18s gave me a good relationship with him. Hopefully this game today will help me get to camp and hopefully I’ll make the team.”

If it was up to John Tavares, Hodgson would be playing on his line this Christmas.

“Those last few shifts with me and Cody went really well,” said Tavares, who had two goals and an assist in the game. “It’s hard to tell now what’s going on and who’s going to make the team – but I thought Cody and I found each other, especially on the powerplay, very well.”

There’s no reason not to believe that Hodgson will be playing along side Tavares this Christmas. Since being sent down by the Vancouver Canucks, Hodgson has been tearing up the OHL. He has scored 20 times adding 22 assists in just 23 games this season, good enough for sixth in the league. His Brampton Battalion have moved up to second in the Eastern Conference.

This Christmas Canada’s World Junior team will be a lot younger than usual. Without the likes of Steven Stamkos, Sam Gagner, Kyle Turris, Drew Doughty and Luke Schenn among others Canada’s experience level will be severely hindered. Only six of the possible 13 players eligible to return are attending camp. Canadian officials are counting on the experience that Hodgson has gained at the under-18s to help him lead this young squad.

Hodgson has proved time and again this season that he is ready to take his game to the next level. His skills and abilites are something that Canadians will get to witness in just a few weeks time when Canada opens the World Junior Championships on Boxing day.

Topics: ADT, canada, Challenge, Cody Hodgson, Russia