Even though the 2012 Winter Classic was filled with moments that set Twitter ablaze, none stoked the fires quite like Mike Rupp’s Jaromir Jagr-esque goal celebration:
The move appeared to be a direct shot across Jagr’s bow, as No. 68 used that exact same celebration after scoring in his return to Pittsburgh last Thursday. But Rupp refused to address such speculation following the game, opting to play coy with reporters.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Rupp said. “I was happy to get a goal and that’s where I’ll leave it.”
Jagr, meanwhile, was far less hesitant in addressing the salute.
"[We’re] still gonna play them three more times,” he told reporters. “And I think I’m gonna score and salute him back.”
This isn’t the first time Rupp’s starred on the big stage. In 2003, he scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal and added a pair of assists for New Jersey in a 3-0 win over Anaheim in Game 7. Best part? He did it as a 23-year-old rookie with 26 games of NHL experience.
UPDATE: Sportsnet’s Tony Ambrogio with the following tweet...
“Rupp told me his celebration after 1st goal was not mock salute of Jagr, was just excited.”
