Brandon Hagel was on the ice for the opening faceoff on Saturday when Team USA and Team Canada fought. Within seconds, his gloves were off and he was trading a gust of punches with alternative American captain Matthew Tokachuk.
Prior to Thursday’s rematch, Hagel was asked about starting his physicality against the Americans, and he took a jab with Team USA in his response.
“I think we’re playing for the flag, not the camera. It’s part of Canada that we have there. There’s no need to start anything. There’s no group chat.” Ta. “We’ve played the game and then given it everything and doing it for our country. We don’t have to start everything. Chest.”
Drop gloves early on Saturday to set the tone of the game via text messages from groups who are members of Team USA, including Tkachuk, his younger brother Brady Tkachuk and veteran forward JT Miller I agreed to that. All three of them were involved in separate brawls before ticking the clock nine seconds ago. Hagel showed that there was no such group chat in Team Canada and that the person dropping the gloves showed that they would do so for their country.
These comments probably don’t sit well with team USA members. And at some point in the final on Thursday, it’s very likely that Hagel will try again in the fight.
