From Olympic Gold Medal Rivalry to NHL Teammate Reunion
Just four days ago, Jake Guentzel and Brandon Hagel stood on opposite sides of hockey's greatest international rivalry, battling for Olympic gold in Milan. Today, they reunite as Tampa Bay Lightning teammates, putting national pride aside for their NHL playoff push against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
A Dramatic Olympic Showdown
On February 21, Guentzel helped Team USA capture its first men's hockey gold medal since 1980 with a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory over Hagel's Team Canada. The game represented the pinnacle of both players' international careers, with Guentzel contributing to the historic American triumph while Hagel experienced the heartbreak of Canadian defeat.
The emotional intensity of that gold medal game made their immediate reunion as Lightning teammates particularly remarkable. Despite competing in hockey's most storied rivalry throughout the Olympic tournament, both players maintained their friendship off the ice.
Friendship Transcends International Competition
"I love Hags. He's one of my best friends on this team, and we were talking throughout the whole tournament," Guentzel revealed according to team sources. "Once that game hit, though, you're playing for your country."
The 31-year-old forward emphasized that while they were fierce competitors during the Olympic final, their relationship immediately returned to normal once the final buzzer sounded. The post-game handshake line marked not just the conclusion of an epic contest, but the resumption of their professional partnership in Tampa Bay.
Coach Cooper's Graceful Gesture
Lightning and Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship by seeking out Guentzel following the gold medal game. Despite coaching the Canadian team that fell just short of Olympic glory, Cooper personally congratulated his Tampa Bay player on the historic American victory.
"It was just more, 'Hopefully we'll do this together sometime soon,'" Guentzel said of Cooper's message. "It was really nice for him to seek me out and congratulate me like that."
Guentzel has played under Cooper's leadership for two seasons with the Lightning, making the coach's gesture particularly meaningful amidst the competitive disappointment.
Quick Transition Back to NHL Action
The Lightning players returned from Milan on February 23, facing an immediate and challenging transition back to regular season NHL hockey. Guentzel described the rapid shift from Olympic competition to professional league play as both stressful and nerve-wracking.
Tampa Bay now confronts a grueling schedule with 27 games packed into just 50 days as they prepare for the postseason. Despite holding the top position in the Atlantic Division with an impressive 37-14-4 record and 78 points, the Lightning remain vigilant about maintaining their standing and securing optimal playoff seeding.
Post-Olympic Showdown Against Toronto
The reunited Lightning teammates will face Team USA captain Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs in Tampa Bay's first game following the Olympic break. This matchup adds another layer of international intrigue, with Matthews having captained the American team that Guentzel helped secure gold.
Toronto currently sits seventh in the division with a 27-21-9 record and 63 points, trailing Tampa Bay by 15 points in the standings as both teams enter the critical post-Olympic stretch run toward the playoffs.
The Lightning's roster now features eight Olympians returning from Milan, creating a unique dynamic where recent international competitors must quickly reintegrate as unified teammates for the NHL's final push toward postseason glory.
