Mar.21/1981: Dave “Tiger” Williams became 1st player in #NHL history to have 30 goals & 300 penalty minutes in the same season. Only other to do it? Al Secord in 1982. One of the closest to 30G/300PIM club? Current #Canucks coach Rick Tocchet (31G/299PIM in 1988). @Sportsnet650
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On this day in 1981, Vancouver Canucks forward Dave “Tiger” Williams becomes first NHL player to score 30 goals and have 300 PIM in a season

Photo credit: nhl.com
By Zach Laing
Mar 21, 2023, 16:50 EDTUpdated: Mar 21, 2023, 16:49 EDT
Tiger was truly in a class of his own, and he further cemented that today in 1981.
The Vancouver Canucks were taking on the Montreal Canadiens in the Forum, a game the west coast club would lose 5-3. But it wasn’t for lack of fight, that’s for sure.
Referee Ron Hoggarth had his work cut out for him as a staggering 186 penalty minutes were handed out. Surprise surprise, as Tiger was right in the middle of it.
He alone accounted for 31 PIM, second in the game to Habs forward Mario Tremblay, as Tiger’s first penalty came at the 9:20 mark of the first period. He was levied a two-minute minor for interference, then dropped the gloves with Guy Lapointe.
8:17 into the second period, he found himself in hot water once again. Multiple players from both teams were penalized, and Williams was issued two 10-minute misconducts and two unsportsmanlike conducts.
By the end of the season, Williams ended up notching career highs in goals (35), points (62) and PIM (343).
Wiliams joined the Canucks in a Feb. 1980 trade alongside Jerry Butler with Vancouver sending back Bill Derlago and Rick Vaive. He left the team in a Aug. 1984 trade being sent to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Rob McClanahan.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.
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