Pezzetta pays tribute to Tiger Williams with his shootout celebration

Dave “Tiger” Williams retired from the NHL 10 years before Michael Pezzetta was born.

But the Canadiens forward with the long, flowing hair paid tribute to Williams after scoring the winning goal in a 4-3 shootout victory over the Sabres Monday night in Buffalo.

After scoring the winner in the sixth round of the shootout, Pezzetta celebrated by riding his stick like Williams used to do after a big goal, while pointing at the many Canadien fans who were in attendance at the KeyBank Center.

“It was definitely a tribute to Tiger Williams,” Pezzetta told reporters in Buffalo after the game. “I think I was just like: Heck, I might never get a chance where if I score it’s to win the game. I know maybe it was a little bit much. But it’s funny and I think I’ll definitely remember it.”

Williams played 14 seasons in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers, retiring after the 1987-88 season. In 962 career games, Williams had 241 goals, 272 assists and 3,971 penalty minutes, the most in NHL history.

The 25-year-old Pezzetta has a little bit of “Tiger” in him as a rugged fourth-liner who isn’t afraid to drop the gloves and can also score some goals. In 55 games this season, Pezzetta has 6-7-13 totals.

“I thought it was funny,” Pezzetta said about his goal celebration. “I was just pure adrenalin and it was something I thought about maybe sleeping at night and I was just like: Heck, let’s just do it.

“I haven’t watched (Williams) live, but I’ve seen him do that celly and I’ve watched a few of his games (on video) and he was always an entertainer.”

Jordan Harris, Alex Belzile and Brendan Gallagher scored for the Canadiens in regulation time.

When asked if he had ever practised his shootout celebration, Pezzetta said: “No. That was the first time. Just kind of happened.”

Nick Suzuki, Jonathan Drouin and Mike Matheson were the first three Canadiens in the shootout and they all missed. Jack Quinn scored for the Sabres to open the fourth round and then Jesse Ylönen scored to keep the Canadiens alive. Canadiens defenceman Johnathan Kovacevic missed in the fifth round. With a chance to win the game with the last shot in the sixth round, Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis called on Pezzetta, who had only 6:25 of ice time during the game.

“It was just nice to get an opportunity there,” Pezzetta said. “And being the last guy that if I scored it was the winner was definitely exciting and something I’ll never forget.

“I was kind of looking down the bench,” Pezzetta added. “I knew I probably didn’t play a lot today, but I was looking down the bench. I’ve got a move and I know the coaches know that. I think it went a little deep enough (into the shootout) that I could get a chance, so it was fun.”

Canadiens assistant coach Alex Burrows was an assistant coach with the Laval Rocket when Pezzetta was playing there and knew Pezzetta went 2-for-4 in shootouts with the AHL team.

“I got an opportunity last year and I did ring it off the post pretty hard,” Pezzetta said about his one previous shootout attempt with the Canadiens. “I was thinking I’m probably not going to get another opportunity again. But I know Burr had me in the AHL and I was 50 per cent down there. … So I think he knew that I had a move and I was looking down there. So when it got a little later (in the shootout) I was hoping that I’d get the chance again. I was ready for it.”

He was also ready for the celebration.

scowan@postmedia.com

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