Vladimir Putin Plays In Hockey Exhibition: Russian President Nets Decisive Shootout Goal (VIDEO)

The "Sport of Kings" may be horse racing but presidents and prime ministers seem to have the option to choose whatever game best fits them -- and their constituencies.

Russian president Vladimir Putin seems to be choosing hockey.

President Obama is known for his passion for hoops. In March, he took British PM David Cameron to the "First Four" at the start of the 2012 NCAA Tournament. Obama told reporters that Cameron was going to teach him about cricket. In Russia, Putin has recently been gravitating toward hockey, according to the The Telegraph.

Shortly after being sworn in for his third term as president, the Russian politician participated in an exhibition hockey match in Moscow. According to The Guardian, Putin played for a team sporting Amateur Hockey League jerseys that defeated a side composed of Russian hockey legends.

Putin notched one goal and an assist during regulation play, per RIA Novosti, as well as scoring another goal during a shootout after the teams remained tied after three periods.

WATCH: Putin's shootout goal.

In 2008, Obama played a pick-up basketball with members of the UNC basketball team while he was campaigning for the presidency. The Tar Heels did not seem to take it particularly easy on him, leaving him to note to reporters that "these guys are a lot better than I am."

Based on the efforts of the goalkeeper, it seems that Putin might have been receiving treatment just a bit more deferential during this match than Obama got during that pick-up game. To paraphrase Mel Brooks, it's good to be the president.

Some, including Deadspin, suspect that this exhibition tilt may not have been totally on the level, but at least it wasn't quite as fixed as the track meet depicted in the upcoming comedy "The Dictator."

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Comments

[derzahlaludba]

10:23 AM on 05/11/2012

If there's one thing I know, it's hockey. The goalie let it in.

[RobJames]

10:40 PM on 05/10/2012

I'm sure I could have scored that goal too if I threatened to poison the goalie's family.

[happyblackman]

10:25 PM on 05/10/2012

Big deal! I once read that Kim Jong Il, recorded 50 consecutive hat tricks, when he played hockey in the North Korean Hockey League! Dear Leader was an outstanding athlete!

[Holey Moley]

10:01 PM on 05/10/2012

lame

[User61]

07:28 PM on 05/10/2012

Of course he scored the winning goal! What idiot is going to deny him that?

[Shikamaru]

12:05 PM on 05/10/2012

Is there anything Putin can't do?

[Nic the wonder puppy]

12:03 PM on 05/10/2012

was that a gun in his pocket? or was he just happy that he scored that goal?

[Vetman2]

10:46 AM on 05/10/2012

putin has short man's complex. you can't hang with President Obama no matter how hard you try you little twerp.

[robXdion]

11:20 PM on 05/09/2012

Putin is worse than Sasha Baron Cohen's "Dictator" character.

Fixing elections thinking he's the "Dos Equis" guy, sheesh!!

[bogey1]

08:40 PM on 05/09/2012

let me score or else !!!!