When the puck dropped in Montreal’s Bell Centre on Saturday night time, Staff Canada’s Brandon Hagel dropped his gloves together with Staff USA’s Matthew Tkachuk.
It was the primary of three fights that passed off between the hockey rivals in 9 seconds for his or her 4 Nations Face-Off matchup.
Due to the aggression and fists flying, to not point out the aggressive checking from each benches all through the 3-1 win for the USA, many are questioning if we’re going to anticipate extra of the identical on Thursday night time in Boston for the event’s championship sport.
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Staff Canada ahead Brandon Hagel controls the puck through the third interval in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey sport in opposition to Staff Finland at TD Backyard. (Bob DeChiara-Imagn Pictures)
Talking with reporters on Tuesday, Hagel mentioned that his determination to battle Tkachuk the second the sport began wasn’t to placed on a present for these within the seats and watching at house.
There was satisfaction for nation.
“Listen, what happened the other night, I did it for the flag and not for the cameras,” Hagel mentioned.
Earlier than that battle occurred, there was a variety of stress from Canadian followers booing the U.S. nationwide anthem. Each groups have a robust sense of satisfaction for the nation they put on on their sweaters, so it’s comprehensible why Tkachuk, his brother, Brady, and J.T. Miller all fought somebody within the first 9 seconds of the sport.
For Hagel’s bout, he was seen egging on the gang after getting again on his skates, making an attempt to make use of house ice to Canada’s benefit.
Staff Canada ahead Brandon Hagel (38) performs the puck and Staff United States defenseman Charlie McAvoy defends within the second interval throughout a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey sport on the Bell Centre. (Eric Bolte-Imagn Pictures)
With roles reversed this time, as Staff USA will probably be taking part in in Boston’s TD Backyard in opposition to Staff Canada, Hagel expects the identical sense of satisfaction from each squads.
“I think it’s going to be the same way,” he mentioned.
Whether or not meaning quick fights stays to be seen.
Matthew Tkachuk admitted that he “didn’t like it” when Canadian followers booed throughout “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and after listening to a mix of cheers and boos on Monday night time throughout Staff Canada’s matchup with Staff Finland within the TD Backyard, the U.S. followers may reciprocate on Thursday night time.
Staff United States ahead Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Staff Canada ahead Brandon Hagel battle within the first interval throughout a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey sport on the Bell Centre. (Eric Bolte-Imagn Pictures)
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Both manner, Staff Canada is in search of revenge and bragging rights as winners of this event after permitting three unanswered objectives, with Connor McDavid’s purpose kicking off the scoring, on Saturday night time.
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