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Saturday, 21 May 2011 12:00

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' 5-3 defeat of the North Stars in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, May 21, 1991.

The Penguins tied the series, 2-2, with a victory at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minn. Left winger Kevin Stevens put the Penguins on the scoreboard just 58 seconds into the game with an unassisted goal against goaltender Jon Casey.

At the 2:36 mark of the first period, center Ron Francis gave the Penguins a 2-0 lead by cleaning up a rebound in the slot for a goal off assists from Stevens and right winger Joe Mullen.

Less than half a minute later at 2:58, center Mario Lemieux increased the lead to 3-0 with a goal from above the crease. Assists went to right winger Mark Recchi and defenseman Larry Murphy.

The North Stars got their first goal late in the period at the 18:22 mark when center Dave Gagner scored against goaltender Tom Bararraso. Left winger Brian Bellows and right winger Ulf Dahlen were credited with assists.

At 9:55 of the second period, center Bryan Trottier scored the eventual game-winning goal off assists from left winger Bob Errey and rookie right winger Jaromir Jagr.

A power-play goal by Minnesota left winger Brian Propp at 13:10 of the period made it 4-2.  Gagner recorded the lone assist.

Late in the period at 18:25, right winger Mike Modano narrowed the lead to 4-3 with another power-play goal. Propp and Gagner had assists.

An empty-net goal by left winger Phil Bourque at the 19:45 mark of regulation secured the win. Mullen and Lemieux netted assists.

Notes:

-Barrasso made 35 saves in the victory.

-The three stars were 1.) Barrasso 2.) Stevens 3.) Gagner.

-Lemieux returned to the lineup after missing Game 3 due to back spasms.

-Minnesota had an eight-game home winning streak snapped.

Also in the news that day:

-The NHL's general manager held meetings in Bloomington during the Cup Final. A measure was approved to recommend to the board of governors that the league adopt instant replay.

-Leftfielder Barry Bonds went 2 for 2 with two home runs and two RBIs for the Pirates in a 5-3 defeat of the Cardinals at Three Rivers Stadium. Pitcher John Smiley recorded the win by throwing six shutout innings and recording four strikeouts.

-Former India Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a suicide bomber in Sriperumbudur, India.

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