Before Alex Ovechkin recorded his first hat trick in nearly two years, he had to escape a throng of frenzied children blocking his exit from Dynamo’s morning skate Saturday in Donetsk, Ukraine. As captured by a Donbass Donetsk employee, the children were unimpressed by Toronto Maple Leaf Leo Komarov, who walked out first. Then, Ovechkin in a light blue sweatshirt and grey beanie, emerged and the kids swarmed him at the bottom of the steps. After signing photos, Ovechkin finally escaped up the steps, took a few photos with fans, and jumped into the safety of Dynamo’s team bus.

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D’aww. This may be the first and only time these Ukrainian kids can see Ovechkin up close in their lives. The panic and excitement sure is understandable… and adorable.