‘We’re playing for the flags, not the cameras’: Canada’s Hagel on rematch vs. USA
Brandon Hagel wasted no time dropping the gloves when Canada faced the United States for the first time back on Saturday.
Right off the opening faceoff, Hagel and Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk set the tone, getting into the first of three fights over the first nine seconds of play.
At first glance, it looked like it might have all been for show. No actual hockey had been played, so it’s not like the fights were reactions to hits. But with the energy and excitement flowing through the Bell Centre in Montreal, it took little hesitation from the parties involved.
“I think we’re out there playing for the flag, not the cameras,” Hagel said during a media scrum on Tuesday morning. “That’s a part of Canada that we have in there. We don’t need to initiate anything. We don’t have any group chats going on. We’re going out there playing our game and then giving it everything and doing it for our country.”
The fights occurred just minutes after MMA legend Georges St. Pierre came out on to the ice to introduce Team Canada. Then, with The Star-Spangled Banner ringing through the Bell Centre, audible boos could be heard from the Canadian fans.
Hagel is one of three Tampa Bay Lightning forwards on Canada, joining Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli. Hagel has just one assist through three games – doing so during his best game to date against Finland on Monday.
Hagel was brought in to be more of an energy guy, despite playing at a 40-goal, 93-point pace in Tampa Bay. By all accounts, this is by far Hagel’s best NHL season, with the winger sitting 15th in NHL scoring.
Canada and the United States will meet again in the tournament final on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET in Boston. If the first game is any indication, it’s going to be an extremely spirited affair – just as the fans want it.
“We’re just going to play as hard as we can and do it for the flag on the chest.”
Daily Faceoff Live is on the road! From February 10th to 20th, we’re bringing you live shows every weekday straight from Four Nations, delivering exclusive coverage, insider analysis, and all the tournament action as it unfolds. Don’t miss a beat—subscribe to the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel and follow us on social for the latest updates. It’s international hockey, so expect intensity, excitement, and maybe even a little chaos. Stay locked in and catch us live from Four Nations!