OTES: In five career games against D

[yyys123]

MINSK, Belarus - Cody Hodgson was in the right place at the right time for his hat trick in Canadas 6-1 drubbing of Denmark on Thursday. In the big picture of his career, Hodgson is also right where he wants to be at the age of 24 and is showing it at the world hockey championship. "Just feeling more comfortable," Hodgson said at Chizhovka Arena after his three-goal performance. "I enjoy playing this game, I love playing hockey and when youre healthy and able to do everything you feel like you can do and your body translates what your mind wants, its fun." Hodgson is healthy again after being bothered by back injuries earlier in his career and then wrist and thumb problems this past season. In leading the way past Denmark, the Buffalo Sabres forward showed glimpses of the player scouts projected hed become as the 10th pick in the 2008 draft. "Earlier in his career, (for) young players its hard to jump in, especially with high expectations," coach Dave Tippett said. "And then he had some injury issues, I think it was some back issues, that really probably hurt his development. Youre starting to see a player now - even (if) he got lots of opportunity in Buffalo this year, put up some points - come here (and) hes playing on a line with some good players and (being) opportunistic." Hodgson scored Canadas first two goals against Denmark, and Matt Read scored twice to break the game open. Jonathan Huberdeau had his first of the tournament before Hodgson finished off the hat trick on the power play. "Sometimes youve got to get lucky to score, but Ill take em," Hodgson said. Tippetts word - opportunistic - might be better. Hodgsons first goal came about when he poked the puck past Danish defender and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Oliver Lauridsen, and his second came after a giveaway wound up right on his stick between the circles. It took skill to finish those plays. "Those first two goals were good shots," Tippett said. "Their goaltenders out and square, but when you shoot it quick like that, it makes it hard on the goaltender. Thats who Cody is: Hes a guy that weve got him in a situation where hes going to get some opportunities with the players hes playing with, and its great to see him capitalize on some of those opportunities." Hodgson just happened to pick a game with five Vancouver Canucks on the ice to shine. While the former Canucks draft pick was the star of the game, Nicklas Jensen scored Denmarks only goal, and Jannik Hansen made sure to give Hodgson a friendly bump while he was giving interviews afterward. Traded to Buffalo in exchange for Zack Kassian at the 2012 trade deadline, Hodgson had nothing but good things to say about his time in Vancouver. He still trains with Chris Tanev and felt fortunate to see a bunch of former teammates when the Sabres were in town this past season. Hodgson had a career high 44 points in 72 games after putting up 34 in the lockout-shortened 2013 NHL season. Those 34 points and his potential earned him a US$25.5-million, six-year contract that also saddled him with even higher expectations. Sabres fans had plenty to smile about Thursday at the world championship, not only with Hodgsons hat trick but a strong game from Zemgus Girgensons as Ted Nolans Latvian team beat the United States 6-5 at Minsk Arena. While the U.S. is struggling in Group B, Hodgson helped Canada to its third victory in four games. Up next is Italy on Friday before Sundays showdown with Sweden. Tippett said Thursday evening he didnt know which goaltender would start against Italy. Ben Scrivens stopped 29 of the 30 shots he faced in beating Denmark, while James Reimer has 57 saves on 63 shots over two starts. Beyond a scoring explosion of four goals in under 10 minutes keyed by Reads first goal midway through the third, Canada showed some more improvements in routing Denmark. For the first time in four games, it did not give up a goal on the penalty kill, and Read even scored short-handed. "Weve been focusing on it the last two days, our penalty kill," Read said. "A lot of teams they rely on their good power play, they know how to move the puck very well and if our penalty kill does our job and we break even on the night not allowing a goal or getting a goal, thats a plus for us." A minus is the four penalties Canada took that wouldve been more costly had this been an elimination game against a stronger opponent. "I think (weve) just got to play more (a) intelligent (game)," Huberdeau said. "Its some bad penalties. I had a bad penalty, so I think its (important) to keep skating and when you have the puck you wont take any penalties." Despite the penalties, Canada had no trouble rolling over Denmark. But Hodgson hopes he and his teammates are just warming up offensively. "It doesnt matter what we did now," he said. "Its what happens in the medal rounds, thats when the serious hockey begins." Notes: Danish captain Morten Green was honoured before puck drop for playing in his 257th career international game. This broke a record for Denmarks national team previously held by Jesper Damgaard. ... Canada won 62.3 per cent of its faceoffs and outshot Denmark 46-30. Danish goaltender Patrick Galbraith made 40 saves. Kevin Durant Shoes Sale . Ferrer will play Mikhail Youzhny on Sunday after he defeated Dmitry Tursunov 6-2, 6-4 in an all-Russian semifinal. "Youzhny is a good player," Ferrer said. Air Max Plus Sale . Second-seeded Sloane Stephens of the United States made lighter work of her day as she beat 2009 champion and Swiss wild card Timea Bacsinszky 6-3, 6-3. Two seeds fell: No. 4 Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium lost to Katarzyna Piter of Poland 6-4, 6-2, and No. https://www.wholesaleshoesforcheap.com/ .com) - The Chicago Cubs reportedly signed recently-acquired outfielder Dexter Fowler to a one-year contract on Friday, avoiding arbitration. Nike EXP-X14 Sale . The native of Mont-Tremblant, Que., captured a World Cup downhill event Saturday, his second this year and fifth career victory on the circuit. Nike Shoes Sale . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Latvia won a four-man World Cup bobsled race Sunday, while the U.DALLAS - Jonathan Bernier wasnt quite satisfied after earning his second shutout of the season and posting his second-highest save total.Most of the night I felt pretty good, but theres just a few that got away from me, the Toronto goalie said after making 43 saves as the Maple Leafs beat the Dallas Stars 4-0 on Tuesday.James van Riemsdyk had a goal and two assists for Toronto, which snapped a three-game slide.The Stars four-game winning streak ended when they were shut out for the first time since Jan. 9 at New Jersey.I had a few bad rebounds but the D-men did a good job tying up sticks and letting me get back in position, Bernier said. Timely goal, good power play, good penalty kill. Thats how we won the game tonight.Nazem Kadri opened the scoring 55 seconds into the game, and assisted when van Riemsdyk scored at 6:21 of the second period.Phil Kessel had two assists, the second on Tyler Bozaks power-play goal at 10:30 of the second. Mike Santorelli finished the scoring with an empty-net goal at 16:09 of the third.Toronto killed off four Dallas power plays.Our special teams werent good enough, Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. We had a couple opportunities where we got a little stagnant on the power play, and not enough pucks went to the net.Youve got to give Bernier a lot of credit. He was fabulous.Berniers save total, which included 19 in the third period, was one short of his season high. He has nine career shutouts.As always, your goalies your No. 1 penalty killer. Bernie was called on far, far too often tonight, Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said. You know theyre going to make a push, and we were able to withstand the storm, but Bernie was a big reason for it.ddddddddddddDallas Kari Lehtonen allowed three goals and stopped 22 shots.Toronto took a 1-0 lead in the first minute when van Riemsdyk passed from the right corner to the front of the net. Kadri beat the Stars Tyler Seguin and Alex Goligoski to the puck and put it past Lehtonen.Neither team scored again in the first period, though Seguin and Bozak each hit a post. Dallas outshot Toronto 10-8 in the period.In the second, van Riemsdyk scored on a breakaway at 6:21. His backhand shot went between Lehtonens legs.The Maple Leafs lead grew to 3-0 on Bozaks power-play goal. Dion Phaneufs drive from the top of the slot deflected off Stars defenceman Jordie Benn to Bozaks stick at waist height. A review to determine whether the puck went in off his glove allowed the goal to stand.Again the Stars had nothing to show for outshooting Toronto, 14-11.Chippy play in the third period led to three minor penalties for roughing and a full-fledged fight between Phaneuf and Dallas Antoine Roussel at 12:20. Phaneuf and Roussel were assessed a major and a minor penalty apiece.NOTES: In five career games against Dallas, Kadri has nine points (four goals, five assists). ... Toronto D Stephane Robidas received an ovation when the Stars played a video tribute during a timeout. Robidas played 704 games for Dallas before being traded to Anaheim last season. ... Lehtonen came out of the net with more than four minutes remaining, but returned after Santorellis empty-netter. Lehtonen had been pulled during the second period after allowing four goals in Sundays 6-5 shootout victory at Edmonton. ' ' '