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Monday, 23 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' 6-4 defeat of the North Stars in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, May 23, 1991.

The Penguins took a 3-2 series lead with a victory at the Civic Arena. Center Mario Lemieux scored the game's first goal against goaltender Jon Casey 5:36 into the contest on a power play. Assists went to defensemen Larry Murphy and Paul Coffey.

Another power-play goal by left winger Kevin Stevens from the slot at the 10:08 mark of the first period increased the lead to 2-0. Coffey and Murphy were credited with assists once again.

Right winger Mark Recchi scored with a backhander just under two minutes later at 11:45 to make it 3-0. Lemieux and left winger Phil Bourque had assists.

Recchi scored his 10th goal of the postseason with a wrister from the left circle at 13:41 to increase the lead to 4-0. Assists went to Lemieux and Murphy.

At 14:52 of the period, Minnesota got on the scoreboard when center Neal Broten scored a shorthanded goal against goaltender Tom Barrasso. Defenseman Mark Tinordi recorded the only assist.

At the 6:54 mark of the second period, center Dave Gagner made the score 4-2 with another shorthanded goal against goaltender Frank Pietrangelo. The only assist was recorded by left winger Brian Propp.

Center Ron Francis scored the eventual game-winning goal late in the period at the 16:26 mark with a slapper from the left circle against goaltender Brian Hayward. Right winger Joe Mullen was credited with the lone assist.

Just 1:36 into the third period, right winger Ulf Dahlen scored to make it 5-3. Assists went to center Bobby Smith and left winger Geatan Duchesne.

The North Stars pulled within a goal off a goal by Gagner at 7:42. Propp and left winger Stew Gavin were credited with assists.

A goal by left winger Troy Loney late in the game at the 18:21 mark secured the win. Murphy and Francis had the assists.

Notes:

-Pietrangelo made 15 saves to record the win.

-The three stars were 1.) Lemieux 2.) Recchi 3.) Gagner.

-Barrasso left the game after one period due to a groin injury.

-Recchi's goal were his first of the series.

-Murphy's four assists gave him 20 points in the postseason. The only other defenseman with more than 20 was Boston's Ray Bourque who had 25.

Also in the news that day:

-Shortstop Jay Bell went 1 for 4 with a home run and one RBI for the Pirates in an 8-2 loss to the Cardinals at Three Rivers Stadium.

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