Fans stunned after Russian goalkeeper gets AK-47 rifle as man of the match prize [photos]

A Russian ice hockey goalkepper Saveli Kononov, was handed a brand new AK-47 rifle as man of the match prize following his team’s victory over Chelmet in the second-tier VHL.

Saveli put in a brilliant performance saving 36 of the 38 shots he faced during the match and was happy with the prize he received.

“Lads, today we too are introducing a tradition,” head coach Ramil Saifullin told his team whose home is a city known for producing one of the world’s most recognisable rifles.

“As we live in an arms manufacturing city, the city of the Kalashnikov, every match you will for yourselves name the best player, and the previous [recipient] will hand it over to him,” he said inviting the captain to name the first recipient.

“Can we fire it?” the captain joked, before awarding it to the goalkeeper Savely Kononov to applaus from team-mates.

“Congratulations on the win, but if we play poorly we will be shot with it,” Kononov said to more applause and laughter from players.

“How do we take it to away matches?” one asked. “We will figure it out. We will carry a wooden model,” the coach replied.

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