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OHL North Bay Battalion

Canadian hero Hodgson returns to Battalion action Thursday

January 6, 2009 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
North Bay Battalion News Release


BRAMPTON, Ont. - Cody Hodgson has found life as a freshly minted Canadian hero somewhat hectic.

Hodgson, who scored two goals and earned one assist as Canada defeated Sweden 5-1 Monday night in the gold medal game of the World Junior Championship, has drawn national accolades for his stellar two-way play since the tournament started Dec. 26.

The Brampton Battalion's Hodgson returned to Toronto on Tuesday after playing a lead role in Canada's march to a fifth consecutive title, which culminated before a crowd of 20,380 at Ottawa's Scotiabank Place.

"It's been a whirlwind since the game ended," Hodgson said via telephone from his Markham, Ont., home before heading to the Air Canada Centre to drop the puck at a National Hockey League game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers.

"You watch that tournament for years on television, and it's incredible when you're a part of it. It was amazing to play in front of all that support. It's something I'll never forget. I just wanted to take in the whole thing. I had my whole family there, and that was great."

Both Canada and Sweden entered the final undefeated. The Canadians had overcome a 3-0 deficit to down the United States 7-4 in their last group game and had scored the tying goal with 5.4 seconds left in a semifinal against Russia before prevailing 6-5 by shootout.

"We really came together as a team for the final," said Hodgson. "We knew Sweden was a great team with a lot of high-end guys, but we tried not to worry too much about them. We knew, if we played our best game and played as a team for a full 60 minutes, nobody could beat us. The coaches told us to play with our heads, not with our hearts.

"The coaches really helped us as the tournament went on with things we could improve. We all shortened up our shifts, and we all bought into what they wanted. That was great to see."

Hodgson was in on Canada's first and last goals against Sweden. He assisted on the opener, by P.K. Subban of the Belleville Bulls, on the power play 38 seconds into the game and scored into an empty net in the final minute.

But his biggest offensive contribution was a power-play goal that gave Canada a 3-0 lead 33 seconds into the third period.

"Our power play had been great the whole tournament, and we knew if we could get a goal at that time it would be huge for us."

Centre Hodgson, who led the 10-team tournament in scoring with five goals and 11 assists for 16 points in six games, was among three forwards named to the all-star team. One of four alternate captains, he scored two goals on the power play and was a key member of the penalty-killing unit.

"I was just trying to play my role on the team. The coaches had a lot of faith in me, and I give them a lot of credit for putting together a game plan that worked."

Hodgson was on the ice when Jordan Eberle scored the equalizer against Russia.

"It was a weird feeling. Even though we were down a goal with 10 seconds left, we just kept battling. Nobody gave up. That was an unbelievable effort."

Battalion teammate Evgeny Grachev was on the ice for the Russians when Eberle scored. Grachev, who had a goal against Canada and was his team's player of the game, finished the tournament with two goals and three assists for five points in seven games. Russia claimed the bronze medal with a 5-2 victory over Slovakia.

"Grachev played a great game that night," Hodgson said of the semifinal. "I felt for those guys. They made a couple of mistakes at the end, and we capitalized. Grachev had a great tournament."

Hodgson and his Western Hockey League linemates, right winger Eberle of the Regina Pats and left winger Zach Boychuk of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, were together the entire tournament, combining for 15 goals, 21 assists and 36 points.

"We had a lot of fun," said Hodgson. "We complemented each other well. Those guys have great speed and great hands, and we could find each other around the net."

He said he expected to be ready for the Battalion's next Ontario Hockey League game, against the visiting Sudbury Wolves at 7 p.m. Thursday.

"I'm looking forward to it and I can't wait to see the guys again. I've heard from a lot of them."

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