When Team USA and Canada meet for a rematch in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship, don’t expect the intensity to dip. Canadian forward Brandon Hagel said the animosity at the start of the game wasn’t just for showmanship.
When the Americans and Canadians met on Saturday night, a 3-1 win for the U.S., there were three fights in the first nine seconds of the game. Hagel dropped the gloves with Team USA’s Matthew Tkachuk as soon as the puck hit the center-ice face-off dot, and that kicked off a chain reaction.
All of that ruckus was preceded by Canadian fans booing the U.S. national anthem during the pregame festivities. That led to a charged atmosphere in the Bell Centre, as well as between the players. Hagel doesn’t expect anything different on Saturday night because his fight came from a sense of national pride.
“I think it’s gonna be the same way,” Hagel said. “… Listen, what happened the other night, I did it for the flag and not for the cameras.”
After Hagel and Tkachuk went at one another, Brady Tkachuk and Sam Bennett fought upon the ensuing face-off. Six more seconds went by without a fight until Team USA’s JT Miller and Canada’s Colton Parayko exchanged punches in front of the Canadian net.
The booing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” in Montreal did turn up the heat on an already contentious rivalry. Following Team USA’s 6-1 win over Finland on Thursday, Matthew Tkachuk shared his brief thoughts about the booing.
“I didn’t like it, and that’s all I got,” Tkachuk said.
Whether the American fans at TD Garden in Boston repay the favor to the Canadian national anthem remains to be seen, but the intensity level on the ice won’t be in question.
In a recent interview, Canadian hockey player Brandon Hagel opened up about his recent fight with American player Matthew Tkachuk during an international tournament. The altercation between the two players sparked controversy and garnered attention from fans and media alike. However, Hagel wants to set the record straight – he did not engage in the fight for attention or to make headlines. Instead, he fought for his country.
Hagel explained that representing Canada on the international stage is a tremendous honor and privilege. As a player, he takes great pride in wearing the maple leaf on his chest and competing for his country. When tensions escalated on the ice during the game against the USA, Hagel felt a sense of duty to stand up for his team and defend the honor of Canada.
The fight with Tkachuk was not premeditated or planned, according to Hagel. It was a spontaneous reaction in the heat of the moment, fueled by the intensity of the game and the desire to protect his teammates. While fights are not uncommon in hockey, Hagel emphasized that his primary motivation was to show his commitment to his country and his team, rather than seeking attention or causing controversy.
Hagel’s comments shed light on the complex dynamics of international competition in sports. Representing one’s country can evoke strong emotions and a deep sense of pride, leading players to act in ways that may seem aggressive or confrontational to outsiders. In the case of the altercation with Tkachuk, Hagel’s actions were driven by a sense of loyalty and patriotism, rather than a desire for personal gain or recognition.
As Hagel reflects on the incident, he hopes that fans and critics will understand the context behind his actions and appreciate the passion and dedication that he brings to the game. Ultimately, Hagel’s fight with Tkachuk was not about individual glory or ego, but about upholding the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and national pride that are at the core of international competition.
