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Thursday, 19 May 2011 12:01

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' 3-1 loss to the North Stars in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, May 19, 1991.

Center Bobby Smith scored the eventual game-winning goal less than half a minute later at the 7:54 mark. Left winger Brian Bellows and former Penguins defenseman Chris Dahlquist were credited with assists.

Just 1:23 into the third period, left winger Phil Bourque accounted for the Penguins' only goal by scoring against goaltender Jon Casey from above the crease. Assists went to rookie right winger Jaromir Jagr and center Bryan Trottier.

Less than a minute later at the 2:01 mark, left winger Gaetan Duchesne scored the game's final goal off assists from left winger Stu Gavin and center Neal Broten.

-Notes:

-Barrasso made 30 saves in the loss.

-The game's three stars were 1.) Casey 2.) Gagner 3.) Smith.

-Penguins center Mario Lemieux suffered back spasms during warm-ups and could not play. His absence officially ended a 15-game point-scoring streak.

-Lemieux was replaced in the Penguins' lineup by center Jiri Hrdina.

-The North Stars extended a home winning streak to eight games. They improved to 20-2-2 in their previous 24 games at the Met Center.

-The Penguins and the North Stars were each fined $25,000 by the NHL after Penguins left winger Troy Loney and North Stars defenseman Mark Tinordi were involved in a fight after the seond period of Game 2.

-Penguins coach Bob Johnson had to play a $12.95 fee for his mother to watch the game from her Minneapolis apartment. Johnson told the Post-Gazette, "A great hockey area like this and you've got to pay to watch the game. Hey we're in the entertainment business. We've got to take our game to the public."

Player introductions:

Also in the news that day:

-Leftfielder Mitch Webster went 1 for 4 with an RBI and accounted for the Pirates' only run in a 7-1 loss to the Braves at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta.

(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)

Comments (2)

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written by Stephen, May 19, 2011 - 04:08 PM

The next Sports Illustrated issue that came out after that game did a story in the North Stars. So guess which team won the next three games in a row.

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written by 123, May 19, 2011 - 05:34 PM

If I recall correctly, or maybe it's just legend, but word came out of the Twin Cities after this game that they were planning the parade route.

Guess they had a map of Pittsburgh.

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