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Matthew Tkachuk just gave the Canadians another reason to dislike him

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Feb 19, 2025 3:35 PM ET

Matthew Tkachuk is good at adding fuel to the fire.

When asked about Brandon Hagel’s comments (who said the Canadians didn’t need to have a group discussion – via phone – regarding the fact that’s how the Americans decided to fight last Saturday), Tkachuk responded.

And he said this:

Well, maybe the guys on the team don’t like each other if they don’t have group chats. – Matthew Tkachuk

Matthew Tkachuk’s response starts with “Well, I mean maybe their team doesn’t like each other if they don’t have group chats.”
“I think that’s just a player enjoying his opportunity,” Tkachuk added. “I think that our team does not care about anything that they say, and there’s… https://t.co/3AijQ3I0A1

— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) February 19, 2025

Of course, Tkachuk also wanted to respond to the quote about “Canada playing for the flag and not the cameras” since I imagine he wants to play for his flag too. The opposite would surprise me, anyway.

But that’s the kind of quote that Canadians can write on the whiteboard to motivate themselves…

Regarding tomorrow’s game, it’s interesting to note that there are several things to watch for regarding the US team’s lineup for tomorrow night’s game.

For example?

– Vincent Trocheck is ready to play for tomorrow’s game. Same for Auston Matthews, who says he’s ready… and it’s probably the same for the Tkachuk brothers. Even if Brady didn’t practice today.

– In fact, the only player who is sure not to play tomorrow is Charlie McAvoy. But since the Americans have six defensemen, Quinn Hughes is not eligible to play. Bill Guerin is still working on the defenseman’s situation.

A reminder, for clarity purposes: Quinn Hughes can be made eligible to play Thursday for USA only if another defenceman (not a forward) is ill or injured. https://t.co/p6kKKJAous

— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) February 19, 2025

– At Team Canada’s practice, there were no changes to note.

– Team Canada has no problem with potentially seeing Quinn Hughes potentially join the US team. Given what happened with Cale Makar, it’s logical.

Team Canada has no issue with Quinn Hughes joining Team USA but the NHL again today says it’s status quo as far as Hughes not being able to play unless there’s an injury/illness to another Team USA D.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 19, 2025

in a nutshell

– What do you think?

«It’s probably the biggest hockey game in 11 years in the world. But Martin St-Louis, it doesn’t interest him.»https://t.co/wcDeX1kB0q

— TVA Sports (@TVASports) February 19, 2025

– It’s bustling in Toronto.

Everything goes, even a boycott. https://t.co/3BvVkJCli0

— Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) February 19, 2025

– Morgan Geekie traded? [ RG]

– Nick Suzuki doesn’t give up on the series.

My story on Canadiens’ eight-day vacation for 4 Nations Face-Off break in schedule coming to an end Tuesday when 14 skaters practised in Brossard. Captain Nick Suzuki believes #Habs can get back in the playoff race #HabsIO: https://t.co/s4nADM2HyZ

— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) February 19, 2025

This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission.

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