During KHL games, like many NHL games, kids often take the ice to play a mini-game during the intermissions. This time, during a regular season game between SKA St. Petersburg and Lada Togliatti (SKA St. Petersburg won 5-1) the kids faced a group of mascots. You can imagine how surprised the kids were when they discovered that under the costumes were Russian NHL superstars Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. The trio then went on taking pictures and signing autographs.
Kuznetsov was dressed as a wolf, Malkin as a cat and Ovechkin as a dog — animals that are the starring characters of some Soviet cartoons which are still popular in Russia. The Russian forwards are back at home to prepare for the upcoming World Cup. Earlier, Malkin brought the Stanley Cup to Moscow, and other players participated in a number of charity and sports events.
Summer with Stanley: @malkin71_ in Moscow. https://t.co/5DjukG76Vo pic.twitter.com/ICmXaTtKvE
— NHL (@NHL) August 24, 2016
Team Russia will soon have their first preparation game for the World Cup. On Sept. 8 the Russians will face Team Czech Republic in St. Petersburg. Another game against the Czechs is scheduled for Sept. 10 at the O2 Arena in Prague, then Ovechkin and company will fly to North America to skate against Team Canada on Sept. 14 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.