It may be the Winter Olympics, but it still feels like Florida in Milan.
Indeed, the NHL's Sunshine State rivalry has crossed the Atlantic Ocean, with none other than Matthew Tkachuk at the centre of it.
Tkachuk's Panthers teammate Sam Bennett was a late replacement for Team Canada after Tampa Bay Lightning foe Brayden Point was forced to withdraw due to injury.
"Definitely an upgrade for their team," Tkachuk quipped on Monday.
The Panthers and Lightning left North America on a sour note after a brawl in their final game before the Olympic break resulted in 13 penalties, with Tkachuk at the centre of it.
Lightning and Team Canada forward Brandon Hagel — who famously fought Tkachuk at the 4 Nations Face-Off last February — was also involved.
"This is so good for the game," Hagel said post-game, per ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. "If you look back in the day, the rivalries were insane. It needs to get back into the game. It’s good for the players, shows a lot about the character of guys on your team. They’re fun. They’re playoff games.”
Of course, the Canada-U.S. rivalry is also alive and well. But the combatants are in different groups at the Olympics, meaning a matchup would have to wait for the knockout rounds.
The men's hockey tournament begins Wednesday, while Canada's opener comes Thursday against Czechia.
