from RSport,

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday chimed in on the national debate surrounding his country's disallowed goal against the United States in the Sochi Olympic hockey tournament, saying it was a mistake by the referee.

With five minutes to go before the final buzzer Sunday at the Bolshoy Ice Dome and the score at 2-2, Russian defenseman Fedor Tyutin thumped a slapshot from near the boards that flew into the net.

However, the officials ruled it out because the goal had been moved off its moorings by around one centimeter in a previous attack....

"Even referees sometimes makes mistakes, here I wouldn't tar anybody with any brush, but I thought that we would win by a big margin," Putin said.

"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."

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