Yesterday, Russian hockey fans vented their frustrations outside the U.S. Embassy in Moscow over Russia’s disallowed goal in their game against Team USA on Saturday.
But their president wasn’t as angry as they were about the subject.
Vladimir Putin has spoken about the controversial call, which led to an eight-round shootout and a 3-2 U.S. win when T.J. Oshie scored the game-winner.
While noting that “referees sometimes make mistakes,” Putin was relatively pragmatic in his comments.
“You and I shouldn’t forget that sport isn’t only about skill but also about the athletes’ courage, and even a good slice of luck,” he said according to R-Sport.
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With less than five minutes remaining in the third period of Saturday’s game, it appeared Russia had taken a 3-2 lead after Fedor Tyutin put a shot past U.S. goalie Jonathan Quick.
However, the referees called “no goal,” citing that the goal itself had come loose from the ice beforehand.
The call set off howls of protest from the Russian crowd at the Bolshoy Ice Dome, and after the game’s conclusion, multiple Russian players claimed that Quick had dislodged the net himself.
Both teams were able to get wins in their next games on Sunday; the U.S. cruising over Slovenia, the Russians winning in a shootout over Slovakia.
