Russia hockey in hot water after leaving ice before Canadian anthem
Russia faces punishment from the International Ice Hockey Federation after its players left the ice before the victorious Canadian team's anthem was played after the world championship final.
Canada beat Russia 6-1 in Sunday's final in Prague, after which most of the Russian team opted to head for the dressing room before the trophy presentation and the playing of the Canadian anthem.
IIHF president Rene Fasel told Russian agency Tass that he had been left "rather upset" by the Russians leaving the ice and that "some sort of punishment" would be handed down.
The incident has already reached governmental level, with Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko blaming tournament organizers for opening a gate in the boards. According to Mutko, the Russian team took this as an invitation to leave.
Sportswriter Slava Malamud, who covers Russian sports but is based in the United States, offered additional details and some scathing commentary:
Only three Russians who stayed to listen to the Canadian national anthem were Ovi, Malkin, Tikhonov. #DearthOfManhood http://t.co/VnCJTcwe10
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) May 17, 2015
Only three Russians who stayed to listen to the Canadian national anthem were Ovi, Malkin, Tikhonov. #DearthOfManhood http://t.co/VnCJTcwe10
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) May 17, 2015
IIHF will punish team RUS for yesterday's shameful spectacle. Not the game, but leaving the ice before the CAN anthem. #WristsShallBeSlapped
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) May 18, 2015
Looking at the video from yesterday, it appears that Ilya Kovalchuk (RUS captain) was waiving to players still on the ice to leave. #Leader
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) May 18, 2015
The video of Russian players leaving the ice. Man at the door waving others in is, by witness accounts, Kovalchuk. https://t.co/grtSqff9dC
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) May 18, 2015
Reuters photo of Kovalchuk's standing at the door as the team leaves. Yup, a true leader. http://t.co/IMEZ9Ejio1
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) May 18, 2015
RUS movie star (inasmuch as it's a real sentence): "Canadians were definitely on steroids, we should've played Putin" http://t.co/QR8maXeRqv
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) May 18, 2015
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