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These Russian Hockey Players Didn’t Let President Vladimir Putin Score The Game-Winning Goal Or Anything

Amid allegations of ballot-box stuffing and fraud, Vladimir Putin was sworn in two days ago for his third term as President of the Russian Federation. How does a virtual czar celebrate becoming Russia’s head of state for the third time in four terms? He wins a hockey game, of course.

Just hours after taking office, Putin laced up his skates for a game between “his” amateur squad and a team of Russian hockey legends (“his” is in quotes because everything in Russia is Putin’s, silly goose). And — can you believe it? — Putin scored mere moments after taking to the ice. He also scored the game-winning goal in a penalty shootout, which you can see below:

Okay, actually, that’s a sweet little backhand he’s got there. But yeah — for the record, they let him do that. This was a friendly game, but even if this was the championship to end all Russian ice hockey championships, they would still let 59-year-old Putin beat them. That’s just how it goes.

Why did that clip end abruptly, you ask? Well, in Russia, highlight plays you.

h/t Bob’s Blitz