from Julie Hinds of the Detroit Free Press,

"The Russian Five" has drawn rave reviews like the one from the Los Angeles Times that praised it as "a documentary that is moving in ways you won’t see coming."

But the biggest surprise of the documentary about the Detroit Red Wings may be its innovative, do-it-yourself plan for reaching movie theaters.

So far, "The Russian Five" has made nearly $465,000 at the box office, according to the latest figures from Box Office Mojo. That's roughly the same as art house dramas like "All Is True" with Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh and "The Souvenir" with Tilda Swinton.

The documentary has played in 90 theaters in 19 states, a big achievement for an independent, sports-themed film. During its opening weekend in March 2019, its per-screen average of more than $4,300 ranked in the top 10 of more than 100 titles then in release. Already, its earnings put it at 17th among all hockey-themed movies released since 1977.

To use a hockey metaphor, the reception it's receiving has been a minor miracle on ice.

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