Michael Pezzetta came up with the name Dave “Tiger” Williams after his game-winning shootout goal against the Sabers Monday at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
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Not a born goalscorer, Pezzetta smashed goaltender Eric Comrie into the top of the net with a good shot down the blocker side, handing the Canadian a 4-3 win.
But it wasn’t the accuracy of the shot that caught the eye, but its celebration. The curly-haired winger mimicked Dave “Tiger” Williams by sitting on his cane between his legs as if riding a horse while waving his right hand at the crowd.
At home in Toronto, Williams answered the call from the Journal de Montreal on Wednesday morning to discuss this Pezzetta tribute.
“In fact, I haven’t seen it yet,” Williams said, laughing. I was out all day, Tuesday. But on Tuesday morning my phone rang every two minutes. I’ve received over 500 text messages from across Canada and the United States. »
“I saw a photo of Pezzetta. He sat on his staff. I can’t wait to see it from start to finish but it needs a little more practice. But I can tell you that I find it very pleasant. »
“He’s not the first since me,” Williams added. There are a few players who have made it. I think it’s good, it’s an interesting legacy. But you have to win the game to have such a celebration. For me it’s part of the show. There’s nothing wrong with having fun on an ice rink. I’m happy for Pezzetta. »
Before Pezzetta, Tie Domi also paid tribute to Tiger Williams in New York Rangers’ 6-2 win over the Buffalo Sabers. It was January 14, 1992 at Madison Square Garden. He had jumped on a back shot from Tim Kerr to beat Clint Malarchuk.
once
Pezzetta was not yet born when Domi revived the scene of Williams, the NHL’s king of penalty minutes. Habs number 55 didn’t witness the original celebration either.
“I never did that celebration again,” Williams said. There is a belief that I have skated several times with my stick under my butt like a horse to celebrate a goal. But that’s not the reality. I did it once. But we’ve played that sequence countless times. »
Williams, now 69, explained the background to his December 10, 1980 celebration at the Maple Leaf Gardens.
“I never imagined this scene. I just followed my instinct. I played my first game in Toronto since the Maple Leafs traded me to the Vancouver Canucks the year before. I had scored at a crucial moment in the game. It was a spontaneous gesture. I had never done that celebration in a practice session or any other game. It was just the joy of the moment. »
On his return to Toronto, Williams scored and added two assists in the Canucks’ 8-5 win over the Leafs. Rare phenomenon, he had only spent two minutes in the penalty area due to a disturbance.
Thousands of autographs
Since 1980, Williams has never been able to distance himself from this celebration. It sticks to his skin. Several people have attempted to analyze him by going back to his childhood in Saskatchewan. But for him it should not be seen too far.
“I rode horses very often, traveled thousands of kilometers on horseback in my youth. But again, I can’t explain it. It had nothing to do with riding. I wish I got the right answer, but I’ll repeat myself and say I just followed my instincts. That was my reaction at that moment. I had nothing planned in my head. I had never thought of it, not even in my life. »
“Graig Abel took a photo of the celebration. I saved this photo, it’s a great picture. I signed it probably 10,000 times and sent it across Canada and around the world. It’s part of my heritage. It’s always haunted me. I like to compare my celebration to that of José Bautista throwing his bat after a home run [bat flip] with the Blue Jays. Fans like it, so do teammates, but rivals don’t! »