While Brady Tkachuk of Team USA fired a bold message to Team Canada ahead of the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off saying "our time is now," Canada Brandon Hagel is taking a much calmer approach.
Brandon Hagel was involved in a sequence during the previous game at the 4 Nations Face-Off between Canada and the US that saw three fights in the first nine seconds of the game.
Matthew Tkachuk of Team USA later admitted that the fights were the result of a group chat between him, his brother Brady, and JT Miller, who all decided they wanted to drop the gloves early.
Hagel, who is not known for fighting, fired back at the Tkachuks, Miller and Team USA on Tuesday, saying Canada needs none of that.
He told reporters Canada doesn't need a group chat, and doesn't have to initiate anything, because the team is out there playing for the flag on their chests, not for the cameras.
Asked if he watched his fight with Matthew Tkachuk after the game had ended, Hagel said around 500 times.
The hype around the Canada-US final among players, and fans is as high as it's been in hockey for quite some time. Expect the 4 Nations Face-Off final to be a spectacle, regardless of which country comes out on top.
The Boston Bruins recently provided an update on Team USA's Charlie McAvoy after he was admitted to hospital for an infection. He will not play in the championship game.
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