|
The Penguins, hockey and more, by the PG's Seth Rorabaugh. |
"Twenty Years Later" is a segment with a highly unimaginative name which will appear on Empty Netters throughout the 2011-12 season. We will examine the Penguins' 1991-92 season which led to the second 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' 8-5 win against the Islanders, Oct. 17, 1991.
A goal by left winger Kevin Stevens just over two minutes later at 5:31 increased the lead to 2-0. Center Mario Lemieux and defenseman Paul Coffey recorded assists.
At the 12:10 mark of the first period, the Penguins took a 3-0 lead when left winger Phil Bourque scored off assists from right winger Jaromir Jagr and Roberts.
The Islanders finally got on the scoreboard less than a minute later at 13:01 when defenseman Wayne McBean scored his first goal of the season against goaltender Frank Pietrangelo. Defenseman Bill Berg and left winger Tom Fitzgerald had assists.
Mullen scored 10:27 into the second period to give the Penguins a 4-1 lead. Assists went to center Jiri Hrdina and defenseman Larry Murphy.
Left winger Randy Wood scored on a shot from the red line at 13:29 to make the score 4-2. Defenseman Tom Kurvers and right winger Patrick Flatley recorded assists.
At 15:35, left winger Derek King scored on a power play to make it 4-3. Kurvers recorded the only assist.
New York tied the game, 4-4, when center Ray Ferrarro scored at 17:10 off assists from Flatley and Wood.
Another power-play goal by Flatley late in the period at 19:47 put the Islanders up, 5-4. Kurvers and Ferraro were credited with assists.
Just 4:47 into the third period, Errey tied the game, 5-5, with a slapper. Coffey had the only assist.
A goal by Jagr at the 957 mark regained the lead for the Penguins, 6-5. Bourque and left winger Troy Loney recorded assists.
Loney scored his first goal of the season at 14:21 to give the Penguins a 7-5 lead. Stevens and Lemieux netted assists.
The Penguins secured the win late in regulation at the 19:19 mark when Errey completed the hat trick with a shorthanded empty net goal off assists from Lemieux and defenseman Ulf Samuelsson.
Notes:
-Pietrangelo, making his first start of the season, recorded the win after making 30 saves.
-The three stars were 1.) Coffey 2.) Errey 3.) Kurvers.
-Coffey's first assist moved him past Islanders great Denis Potvin for first place among defensemen in career assists with 743.
-Coffey's second assist moved him past Potvin for first place among defensemen in career points with 1,053.
-Errey's hat trick was the first of his career.
-Despite scoring eight goals, the Penguins' power play went 0 for 7.
Statistics:
| Player Position |
Games Played |
Goals | Assists | Points |
| Mario Lemieux, C | 6 | 5 | 6 | 11 |
| Paul Coffey, D | 6 | 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Jaromir Jagr, RW | 6 | 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Phil Bourque, LW | 6 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Kevin Stevens, LW | 6 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Mark Recchi, RW | 6 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Bob Errey, LW | 6 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Joe Mullen, RW | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Larry Murphy, D | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Jiri Hrdina, C | 6 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Joe Mullen, RW | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Troy Loney, LW | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Gordie Roberts, D | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Ulf Samuelsson, D | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Bryan Trottier, C | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Paul Stanton, D | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Jim Paek, D | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Jamie Leach, RW | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jeff Daniels, LW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Grant Jennings, D | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peter Taglianetti, D | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ken Priestlay, C | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Patrick Division standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Capitals | 5-1-0 | 10 |
| Penguins | 4-1-1 | 9 |
| Devils | 4-2-0 | 8 |
| Rangers | 4-4-0 | 8 |
| Islanders | 2-3-1 | 5 |
| Flyers | 2-3-1 | 3 |
Also in the news that day:
-Pitcher John Smoltz threw a six-hit shutout and led the Braves to a series-clinching 4-0 win against the Pirates in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series at Three Rivers Stadium. The Braves would go on to meet the Twins in the World Series. Pirates starting pitcher John Smiley was pulled after he allowed three earned runs in 2/3 of an inning.

| < Prev | Next > |
|---|