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"Twenty Years Later" is a segment, with a highly unimaginative name, which will appear on Empty Netters throughout the 2010-11 season. We will examine the Penguins' 1990-91 season which led to the first Stanley Cup title in franchise history. We will look back on games on a particular date and catch up with former players, coaches, executives and media members who were a part or around that team.

Today, we look at the Penguins' 4-3 loss against the Blues, Oct. 9, 1990.

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After jumping out to a 2-0-0 record with identical 7-4 wins, the Penguins suffered their first loss of the season at the St. Louis Arena. The Blues took a 1-0 lead 13:23 into the first period when right winger Brett Hull collected a rebound and put a backhander by goaltender Frank Pieterangelo on a power play. Center Adam Oates and defenseman Jeff Brown recorded assists.

St. Louis took a 2-0 lead when left winger Geoff Courtnall beat Pietrangelo at 3:04 of the second period. Center Rod Brind'Amour and right winger Paul MacLean had the assists.

Just over six minutes later at 9:17, former Blues right winger Joe Mullen narrowed the lead to 2-1 when he put a rebound off a shot by left winger Kevin Stevens by goaltender Curtis Joseph. Stevens and rookie defenseman Paul Stanton had assists.

The Penguins tied the game, 2-2, when left winger Bob Errey recorded his first goal of the season off an assist by center Barry Pederson at 18:31 of the period.

Hull regained a 3-2 lead for St. Louis at 9:09 of the third period with a wrister once again on the power play. Oates and defenseman Scott Stevens recorded assists.

The Penguins tied it once again just under two minutes later at 11:03 when Mullen fought off a check from left winger Dave Lowry and put a backhander from a bad angle in the right circle by Joseph. Kevin Stevens and center John Cullen were credited with assists.

The Blues took the lead for good when Oates intercepted a clearing attempt by Stanton and threw it at the net. Courtnall re-directed it by Pietrangelo to give the Blues a 4-3 win. Oates and MacLean each recorded assists.

Notes:

-Pietrangelo made his first start of the season. He took the loss after making 24 saves.

-The three stars were 1.) Courtnall 2.) Hull 3.) Mullen

-Penguins right winger Rob Brown was a healthy scratch for the first time since the 1987-88 season. He was replaced in the lineup by rookie left winger Jeff Daniels.

-Regarding his turnover which led to Courtnall's winning goal, Stanton told the Pittsburgh Press: "I made a mistake. It's something you learn when you're five years old.that you don't makes plays like that . I'll be surprised if I play again."

-Stanton ended up playing in 75 games that season.

-Regarding Mullen's two goals, head coach Bob Johnson said: "That's what he does, score goals."

-Defenseman Randy Hiller, who had served as captain during the first two games in center Mario Lemieux's absence, was scratched due to a rib injury. Defenseman Paul Coffey replaced him as captain.

Also in the news that day:

-The Pirates lost Game 4 of the National League Championship Series to the Reds, 5-3, at Three Rivers Stadium. Cincinnati took a 3-1 series lead. Pitcher Bob Walk took the loss after allowing four earned runs in seven innings. Shortstop Jay Bell homered for the Pirates.

-CBS broadcaster Jack Buck apologized for comments prior to the game. Singer Bobby Vinton, a native of Canonsburg, sang the national anthem but muffed a few lines. Afterwards Buck said, "Well, when you're Polish and live in Pittsburgh, you can do anything you want with the words."

(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)

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