Team Canada's Brandon Hagel said fighting Team USA's Matthew Tkachuk was "for the flag," not "for the cameras," on Saturday in their 4 Nations Face-Off game.

Brandon Hagel was on the ice for the opening face-off when Team USA and Team Canada battled on Saturday. Within seconds, his gloves were off and he was exchanging a flurry of punches with United States alternate captain,

When the puck dropped in Montreal’s Bell Centre on Saturday night, Team Canada’s Brandon Hagel dropped his gloves along with Team USA’s Matthew Tkachuk. It was the first of three fights that took place between the hockey rivals in nine seconds for their 4 Nations Face-Off matchup.

On a team of superstars, players such as Brandon Hagel can get overlooked. That is just as true with the Tampa Bay Lightning as it is with Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off. So, Hagel took advantage of an off day at the tournament to step into the spotlight and throw some gas on what was already a raging bonfire ahead of Canada’s rematch with the United States in Thursday’s tournament final.

Matthew Tkachuk heard the gist of Brandon Hagel's comments from Tuesday, when the Canada forward said he and his teammates play for the flag and not the cameras, that they don't need group chats to initiate their passion for playing for the country.

BOSTON - On a team of superstars, players like Brandon Hagel can get overlooked. That is just as true with the Tampa Bay Lightning as it is with Team Canada at the. So, Hagel took advantage of an off day at the tournament to step into the spotlight and throw some gas on what was already a raging bonfire ahead of Canada’s rematch with the United States in Thursday’s tournament final.

Canada's Brandon Hagel (38) and United States' Noah Hanifin (15) battle in front of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during third period of 4 Nations Face-Off hockey game in Montreal on Saturday, Feb.

Brayden Point scores a goal and Brandon Hagel has an assist as Jon Cooper’s team bounces back from Saturday’s loss to the United States.

It was a clear dig at the United States, specifically the Tkachuk brothers, Matthew and Brady, and everything that led up to that explosive first nine seconds in the U.S.-Canada game on Saturday. Matthew,

If things weren't tense enough between the United States and Canada when the two teams faced one another last weekend, they certainly will be in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship on Thursday. Matthew Tkachuk and Brandon Hagel dropped the gloves off the opening draw,

On the ice for Team Canada is Brayden Point, Brandon Hagel and Anthony Cirelli. Jon Cooper is also the head coach for Team Canada. Jake Guentzel is the lone Bolt on Team USA.