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Friday, 15 April 2011 14:00

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

"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' 4-0 win against the Devils in Game 7 of a Patrick Division semifinal series April 15, 1991.

The Penguins completed a comeback from a 3-2 series deficit to claim the semifinal round, 4-3, with a shutout victory at the Civic Arena. Center Jiri Hrdina scored his first career postseason goal at 6:17 of the first period against goaltender Chris Terreri. The goal was unassisted.

At 13:07, center Mario Lemieux cashed in on a power play to make it, 2-0. Right winger Mark Recchi recorded the lone assist.

Just 29 seconds into the second period, Hrdina scored again off assists from left winger Phil Bourque and rookie right winger Jaromir Jagr.

Defenseman Paul Coffey scored the game's final goal only 56 seconds into the third period. Goaltender Frank Pietrangelo had the only assist.

Postgame:

Notes:

-Pietrangelo made 27 saves to record his first career postseason shutout.

-The three stars were 1.) Pietrangelo, 2.) Hrdina 3.) Coffey.

-Pietrangelo played in his second consecutive game after regular starting goaltender Tom Barrasso suffered a shoulder injury in Game. 5.

-Pietrangelo's shutout was the second in the franchise's postseason history. The first was recorded by goaltender Michel Plasse in a 2-0 defeat of the Maple Leafs in Game 2 of a preliminary round series, April 8, 1976.

-After missing Games 5 and 6 due to a left eye injury suffered in Game 4, Coffey made an unexpected return to the lineup. He wore a face shield.

-The Penguins won a Game 7 for the first time in franchise history.

-They also won a postseason series for only the fifth time in 24 years of existence. They

-The Penguins moved on to the Patrick Division final. They would face the Washington Capitals for the first time in postseason history.

-Lemieux left the game after the first period due to back spasms.

-Penguins defenseman Ulf Samuelsson missed the game due to a broken hand.

Also in the news that day:

-Second baseman Jose Lind went 2 for 4 with two RBIs for the Pirates in a 9-3 loss to the Mets at Three Rivers Stadium.

(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)

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