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Tragedy struck the hometown of Evgeni Malkin on New Year’s Eve, when a fairly large apartment building in Magnitogorsk partially exploded and collapsed. Unfortunately 31 people have been confirmed as dead, with more still missing and the worst feared. Amazingly, an 11-month-old child was pulled out of the rubble alive after surviving for 35 hours in below freezing conditions.
As a sign to let everyone know he was thinking of them in the wake of the horrible event, Malkin used a silver marker to inscribe a special message on the skates he wore Wednesday night against the New York Rangers.
Tonight, Evgeni Malkin’s skates have a special message on them in support of all of those affected by the deadly explosion in his hometown of Magnitogorsk, Russia.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 3, 2019
The rough translation on each skate is “Magnitogorsk we are with you” and “Magnitogorsk you are in my heart”. pic.twitter.com/abojfJprvM
So with “Magnitogorsk we are with you” written on one skate and “Magnitogorsk you are in my heart” on the other, the proud city’s favorite son went out half a world away and scored a goal and added an assist in a 7-2 Penguins win.
Malkin on the tragedy in Magnitogorsk: "I don't know what to say. 28 people have died already and others they can't find right now. It's crazy feeling. We're trying to help and support. It's tough, I'm not there. I talked to my family. They're fine." -SK
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) January 3, 2019
It can’t stop the tragedy that’s already happened, but Evgeni Malkin certainly is an emotional man that cares about where he came from and will never forget it either. He went out with a heavy heart and represented well, earning the game’s second star of the night.