Y’all tryna take another L, Canada …?
It’s crazy how a four-team international tournament is giving the NHL so much hype, but it is, and I’m sure the majority of the United States and Canada would agree that the ride has been amazing. And to think this is just a fun little All-Star event to get us ready for the 2026 Olympics.
The reasoning for the success of the 4 Nations Face-Off is because of the intensity that’s been coming along with it, something you usually don’t get for All-Star events. And you better believe that intensity will be at an all-time high when Team USA and Team Canada square off Thursday in the championship game. (RELATED: Ticket Prices For 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game Are Expensive — Very, Very Expensive — And Yet I Still Want One)
This is especially true when you consider left wing Brandon Hagel of Team Canada is out here running his mouth, giving the Americans even more inspiration to win the title game.
If you remember from Saturday’s contest, Hagel got into it with Team USA left wing Matthew Tkachuk to kick off the game, with the two entering things already having a rivalry linked to the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers.
BRANDON HAGEL AND MATTHEW TKACHUK DROP GLOVES AT PUCK DROP 😱
📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/Agc8UN3fIo
— ESPN (@espn) February 16, 2025
Later on, Hagel was questioned about why he chose to fight Tkachuk.
“Listen, what happened the other night, I did it for the flag and not for the cameras,” said Hagel. “We don’t have any group chats going on.”
The “group chats” line is a reference to a text conversation between Tkachuk and U.S. center J.T. Miller prior to Saturday’s game about getting off to a good start against Canada, as reported by The Score’s John Matisz.
It’s all about the flag for Brandon Hagel 🇨🇦 #4Nations pic.twitter.com/Ggua8uUepL
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 18, 2025
Well then … it’s all about the flag … Team USA needs to blow Canada out in the next game.
