BRAMPTON, Ont. – Philip Lane showed Sunday the kind of dominating performance the Brampton Battalion needs from him, scoring two goals and assisting on the other in a vital 3-0 victory over the Niagara IceDogs.

The win, despite a rash of injuries, put the Battalion back into first place in the Ontario Hockey League’s Central Division ahead of the IceDogs and Barrie Colts, who are tied for second.

The Battalion, which has a won-lost-extended record of 15-10-4 for 34 points, snapped a season-high four-game losing streak despite missing six players because of injury and a suspension. The Troops dressed 16 skaters, two below the limit.

“Everybody came to work yesterday focused and ready to play,” said Lane. “We just came to the rink mentally prepared, knowing we had to battle, especially with only 10 forwards.”

Said coach Stan Butler: “Lane and Sam Carrick are two of our key go-to guys. We need that type of effort out of Phil, and obviously against Niagara he had a good one.”

Lane, who scored shorthanded and on the power play in the third period after assisting on Brandon Robinson’s first-period goal, pointed to the Troops’ leadership as playing an important role.

“In games like this, when we’re missing guys, it definitely shows how good our leadership group is here. Sam does a great job in leading us. To face adversity like this and come out with a big win, it definitely shows the character of our leadership group and our team.”

Lane, who had one goal and one assist in the previous 12 games, recorded his third multi-goal game of the season. The others were two-goal efforts in a 4-1 road win Oct. 14 over the Ottawa 67’s and a 2-1 victory Nov. 3 over the visiting Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors.

“I was in a bit of a slump there, so it felt good to get two goals and kind of break out that slump,” noted Lane.

A Rochester, N.Y., native in his third season with the Battalion after being a fourth-round pick in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection, Lane is tied with captain Carrick for second place in team points production with nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points in 29 games.

Lane said that playing simple hockey is important to the Troops’ fortunes.

“It’s just back to the basics, just simple plays, smart plays in the neutral zone, chipping the pucks in and trying not to do too much. I think that’s our game, and we just need to stick to it.”

With forwards Ian Watters, Michael Santini, Patrik Machac, Matt MacLeod and Barclay Goodrow sidelined by injury, the customary line combinations have been lost.

“It’s difficult to get chemistry with your linemates, especially when you’re switching every game because of guys getting hurt,” said Lane. “It’s something you have to battle through. You’re going to deal with it your whole career playing hockey, so the chemistry will come during the game. You just have to keep it basic and play smart. A lot of communication makes it easier.”