Lightning Duo Face Off in Olympic Gold Medal Game, Return to Tampa Bay

Jake Guentzel and Brandon Hagel recently stood on opposite sides of the ice in the Olympic gold medal game between Team USA and Team Canada, a contest Team USA won 2-1 in overtime. The two teammates have now rejoined the Tampa Bay Lightning as the team prepares to face the Toronto Maple Leafs.

USA Claims Gold in Overtime Thriller

Four days prior, Jake Guentzel helped Team USA capture its first gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980, defeating Brandon Hagel’s Team Canada in a thrilling overtime finish. The pair, along with six other Lightning Olympians, have returned to Amalie Arena as the Lightning prepare for their playoff push.

Guentzel and Hagel: Friends and Rivals

Despite the intense rivalry on the ice, Guentzel and Hagel maintained a friendly rapport throughout the Olympic tournament. “I love Hags. He’s one of my best friends on this team and we were talking throughout the whole tournament,” Guentzel said according to the team. “Once that game hit, though, you’re playing for your country.”

The handshake line following the gold medal game marked a return to normalcy for the teammates. Guentzel emphasized that while they were rivals during the game, they quickly reverted to being friends afterward.

Cooper’s Congratulatory Gesture

Tampa Bay Lightning and Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper sought out Guentzel after the gold medal game to offer his congratulations, despite Canada’s loss. “It was just more, ‘Hopefully we’ll do this together sometime soon,’” Guentzel said of Cooper’s message according to the team.

Lightning Face Maple Leafs

The Lightning will face Team USA captain Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs in their first game following the Olympic break.

Olympic Performances

Both Guentzel and Hagel had equal production at the Olympic Games, each appearing in five games and scoring a single goal for their respective countries The Hockey News.

Olympic Tournament Results

Canada narrowly defeated Czechia in the quarterfinal and Finland by a single goal in the semifinal. The United States defeated Sweden by a single goal in the quarterfinal before dominating Slovakia 6-2 in the semifinal. Finland then defeated Slovakia 6-1 in the bronze medal game The Hockey News.