Russian President Vladimir Putin has called Russian ice hockey team head coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov to congratulate the players on winning the world hockey championships, the Kremlin reported on Monday.
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev also congratulated Bilyaletdinov on the phone, the government press service reported.
Russia defeated Slovakia 6-2 in Sunday's final to win the world hockey championships title for the fourth time in the modern era and the first time since 2009.
Two goals from Washington Capitals wing Alexander Semin, and four more from Alexander Perezhogin, Alexei Tereshchenko, Pavel Datsyuk and tournament MVP Evgeni Malkin sealed the victory, which marked a clean tournament sweep of 10 wins.
It was an emphatic return to the summit of world hockey for the Russians, who, despite entering as top seeds had a lot to prove after last year's fourth place.
