It seems that the sensation was mutual between Matthew Tkachuk and Brandon Hagel.
Instantly following puck drop on Saturday’s 4 Nations Face-Off match between USA and Canada, gained 3-1 by the Individuals, Tkachuk and Hagel threw their gloves to the bottom and sparred with one another.
Their struggle was the primary of three within the opening 9 seconds of the match.
Throughout first intermission, Hagel and Matthew’s brother and crew USA teammate, Brady, shared their reactions to the opening fights.
Brady received right into a struggle simply moments following his brother, clashing with Florida Panthers middle Sam Bennett.
“I think [Matthew’s fight] happened pretty organically,” Brady instructed ESPN after the primary intermission. “Matthew said that he wanted to go first, it just happened and now it’s over and done with.”
“It’s right when Matthew found out the starting lineup, he said that he wanted a piece of him [Hagel].”
Hagel additionally opened up about his emotions relating to the opening struggle and defined that Matthew requested for the tussle.
“I think I blacked out on it,” Hagel instructed Sportsnet throughout first intermission. “Trying to get some energy in the building, he asked, and I’m not backing down from him.”
“I think me and him have a pretty good history of going back and forth throughout the season,” Hagel added. “I thought potentially if we started together he was going to ask me — long time coming.”
Brady later talked about the significance of holding focus for the rest of the sport following the fights.
“It’s obviously an adrenaline rush,” Brady stated. “But you have to carry that over into each shift now. It’s all about playing and doing whatever it takes to win.”
“It’s just another game right now. You have to block out all of the noise.”
