"We're out there playing for a flag, not the cameras," said Hagel. "We don't need to initiate anything. We don't need any group chats going on. We're going out there playing our game, giving it everything, and, like I said, doing it for our country. We're just going to play as hard as we can and do it for the flag."
Matthew, who Hagel fought, and Brady Tkachuk started two fights right after the puck drop in the USA's 3-1 win over Canada, of which the two later admitted they had it planned and ready to go.
Teammate J.T. Miller got in the third fight after a scrum in front of Canada's net.
"It's funny," said Hagel. "Before the tournament, everyone thought these might be, I don't know, all-star games in the sense. But I mean, I remember thinking to myself in bed before the game, 'if this is an all-star type of thing, I'm going to be so out of place because I'm putting my head through a wall tomorrow.' That was my mentality going into the game (against the USA). And everyone did the same."
Hagel has one assist during the 4 Nations Face-Off with his only five penalties minutes coming after his fight with Matthew.
The Tampa Bay Lightning left wing has 26 goals and 36 assists through 55 games this season with a +24 +/-.