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Tuesday, 03 May 2011 13:00

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' 5-4 loss to the Bruins in Game 2 of the Wales Conference final, May 2, 1991.

The Penguins fell to a 2-0 series deficit with an overtime loss at the Boston Garden. Right winger Cam Neely gave Boston a 1-0 lead 5:23 into the game with a power play goal against goaltender Tom Barrasso. Assists went to center Craig Janney and Vladimir Ruzicka.

Just 13 seconds later at 5:36, left winger Kevin Stevens tied the game, 1-1, by beating goaltender Andy Moog. Center Ron Francis and right winger Mark Recchi netted assists.

A power-play goal by defenseman Glen Wesley at the 11:53 mark of the first period reclaimed the lead for Boston, 2-1. Ruzicka and defenseman Ray Bourque were credited with assists.

The Penguins tied the game again, 2-2, with a goal by center Mario Lemieux. Left winger Troy Loney and rookie right winger Jaromir Jagr had assists.

Just 38 seconds into the second, Bourque scored the only goal of the period to give Boston a 3-2 lead. Assists went to Janney and Ruzicka.

At 11:01 of the third period, a power-play goal by Recchi tied the game again, 3-3. Lemieux and right winger Scott Young had assists.

Lemieux gave the Penguins their only lead of the game at the 13:00 mark with an unassisted goal.

Janney tied the game, 4-4, with a five-on-three power-play goal at the 16:49 mark. Assists were credited to Ruzicka and Bourque.

Ruzicka won the game with a goal at 8:14 of the overtime period. Right winger Dave Christian and center Dave Poulin recorded assists.

All highlights:

Notes:

-Barrasso recorded the loss after making 25 saves.

-The three stars were 1.) Ruzicka 2.) Lemieux 3.) Bourque.

-After the game, Stevens told the Pittsburgh Press: "We're confident we can beat this team. And we will beat this team. ... We'll beat this team. I'll say it right now, we'll beat this team."

Also in the news that day:

-Pitcher Zane Smith recorded four strikeouts over nine innings in a 1-0 shutout of the Houston Astros at Three Rivers Stadium. First basmean Orlando Merced accounted for the game's only run with his first career home run.

-The Pirates traded first baseman Carmelo Martinez to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for pitcher Victor Cole.

(Photos: Penguins Hockey Cards)

Comments (1)

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written by Uli, May 03, 2011 - 03:16 PM

Hi everybody,

I watch the game Russia vs. Slovakia at the World Championships right now. Some former Penguins players like Hossa, Satan, Morozov and Strbak are in action. It´s not the 2010 Olympics but still a skilled, fast-paced and nice-to-watch game. There´s no need to be afraid of players running each other over and trying to chop their heads off. Unlike the Boston vs. Philly game I watched before...

Greetings from the old world!

Uli

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