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. Marvin Jones Jr Jersey . The Giants chances of winning the division were dealt a serious blow by the three-game sweep at the hands of the lowly Padres. The Giants open a three-game series at Dodger Stadium on Monday night. San Francisco is still in good shape to clinch a wild-card berth, although it dropped into a tie with Pittsburgh in the race for the top spot. Calvin Johnson Jersey . This week they discuss the Philadelphia 76ers, Gregg Popovich, Royal and Ancient Golf Club and Bill Belichick. http://www.officialdetroitlionspro.com/K...lions-jersey/.7 million, one-year contract.The deal, announced Friday, includes a $50,000 performance bonus if the left-hander appears in 60 games. Barry Sanders Jersey . Pinch-hitter Tommy Medica singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and the Padres beat the Seattle Mariners 2-1 in their first home game since Gwynn died of cancer Monday. Custom Detroit Lions Jerseys . "He started putting me on the ice to strengthen them at the suggestion from a doctor," he said. Weight said it wasnt a pretty sight at the rink in St. Clair Shores, Mich. "I looked like Forrest Gump," he joked. CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox jumped ahead, and the Detroit Tigers came right back. Jose Abreu had a big two-run homer for the White Sox, and Victor Martinez responded with one of his own for the AL Central leaders. Adam Eaton loved every minute of it. Eaton had a key run-scoring single in the sixth inning, and the White Sox snapped a three-game losing streak with a 6-5 victory over the Tigers on Monday night. "South Siders, were grinders," said Eaton, acquired from Arizona in a three-team December trade. "Were going to try to do the little things right and grind games out. I think that was as close to a boxing match as you can get. "Grinding it out, and I wouldnt have a baseball game any other way. I think thats how its supposed to be played." Gordon Beckham had three hits and Conor Gillaspie drove in two runs as Chicago bounced back from a sluggish trip to Southern California. The White Sox took two of three from the Dodgers before getting swept in a weekend series against the Angels. Martinez, Miguel Cabrera and Eugenio Suarez connected for Detroit, which has dropped seven of nine. Cabrera went 2 for 4 while serving as the designated hitter after leaving Sunday nights 5-3 loss to Boston with left hamstring tightness. "I feel better than yesterday," Cabrera said. "In the last couple innings, it was tightening. But hopefully I can come back tomorrow in the field and get loose again." Martinezs two-run shot off Hector Noesi (2-4) trimmed Chicagos lead to 5-4 in the sixth. But the White Sox got a big run in the bottom half on Eatons single and held on to win the opener of a nine-game homestand. Ronald Belisario worked a shaky ninth for his sixth save. "We had so many people contribute in so many different ways," Gillaspie said. Alex Avila hit an RBI double off Belisario before the right-hander retired Suarez on a deep fly to centre. Pinch-runner Rajai Davis advanced to third on the play, but Belisario struck out Ian Kinsler and got pinch-hitter Torii Hunter to ground to third for the final out. Rick Porcello (8-4) struggled through five-plus inninngs for Detroit, allowing six runs and nine hits.dddddddddddd He also committed a costly throwing error that set up Eatons run-scoring hit. "I just couldnt find any consistency in executing pitches," Porcello said. "I mean, we face these guys a lot. They know what youre going to do, and when youre not on point, on your game, theyre going to get all over it." Porcello was 9-1 with a 2.35 ERA in his previous 12 starts against the White Sox. The 25-year-old right-hander went 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA in three starts at U.S. Cellular Field last season. Noesi was charged with four runs and seven hits over 5 2-3 innings in his second straight win. The right-hander, claimed off waivers from Texas in April, pitched six solid innings against the Dodgers in his previous start. "Hes giving us a chance to win," manager Robin Ventura said. "He has been great. The changeup for him has really been a factor that has got him to this point." The White Sox scored three times in the fifth to take a 5-2 lead. Gillaspie drove in Beckham with his second RBI single and Abreu followed with a drive to centre for his 18th homer. Abreu had two hits after he went 1 for 12 in the sweep by the Angels. Cabrera watched for a brief moment as his one-out drive in the fourth sailed over the wall in left for his 12th homer. J.D. Martinez then singled with two down, but Gillaspie robbed Nick Castellanos of extra bases with a leaping grab at third for the final out. Suarez went deep in the fifth, tying it at 2. It was his second homer in his fourth major league game since he was promoted from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday. NOTES: Victor Martinez has 15 homers and 15 strikeouts this season. ... White Sox GM Rick Hahn said the team has a "positive history" with agent Scott Boras and thinks they will be able to work together again when it comes to top draft pick Carlos Rodon. The White Sox grabbed the left-hander with the No. 3 overall selection Thursday night. The deadline for signing most amateur draft picks is July 18. ... Tigers RHP Justin Verlander (6-5, 4.19 ERA) faces LHP John Danks (4-5, 4.32) on Tuesday night. 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