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.

“No hand shakes. My germs would kill normal man.” (Photo credit: dynamo.ru)

Alex Ovechkin sat out Dynamo Moscow’s home game on Monday against Dinamo Riga due to a bad case of bronchitis and a high temperature. Instead of staying in bed, Ovi journeyed to the Luzhniki arena to support his teammates and sign autographs for fans during the second period. The autograph session was immensely popular, as a large chunk of the 5,209 in attendance on Monday clogged the mezzanine area to try and meet Ovechkin.

Line to meet Ovi > line at the grocery store, just barely.

Photo credit: dynamo.ru

Ovi’s still a rock star in his hometown.