User Rating: / 2
PoorBest 

"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' 5-4 loss to the Rangers, Oct. 19, 1991.

---

The Penguins suffered their first home loss of the season at the Civic Arena. The Rangers took a 1-0 lead when defenseman Brian Leetch scored on a power play against goaltender Tom Barrasso 4:19 into the game. Assists went to right winger Mike Gartner and center Mark Messier.

Right winger Paul Broten made it 2-0 when he scored a shorthanded goal just over four minutes later at 8:32. Center Darren Turcotte recorded the lone assist.

At the 15:36 mark, right winger Joe Mullen put the Penguins on the scoreboard with a goal against goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck. Center Mario Lemieux and right winger Jaromir Jagr.

The Rangers took a 3-1 lead when center Sergei Nemchinov scored off assists from left winger John Ogrodnick and defenseman James Patrick.

After a scoreless second period, left winger Kevin Stevens scored just 52 seconds into the third period to make it 3-2. Defenseman Larry Murphy recorded the lone assist.

The Penguins tied it, 3-3, at the 6:08 mark when Mullen scored on a power play off assists from Lemieux and defenseman Paul Coffey.

New York regained the lead, 4-3, when Nemchinov scored at the 14:55. Assists went to left winger Adam Graves and Patrick.

The Penguins tied it yet again, 4-4, at 16:27 when Jagr cashed in on a power play. Coffey and Mullen were credited with assists.

Late in the game at the 18:50 mark, Turcotte scored to give the Rangers a 5-4 lead. Broten and Leetch had assists.

Notes:

-Barrasso made 29 saves in the loss.

-The three stars were 1.) Nemchinov 2.) Mullen 3.) Turcotte.

-Lemieux left the game at 11:02 of the third period due to back spasms. He extended a scoring streak to seven games.

-Prior to the game, the Penguins raised their championship banners from the 1990-91 season. The team hoped coach Bob Johnson could attend the ceremony but he was forced to watch from his home in Colorado Springs due to his battle with brain tumors.

Public address anouncer John Barbero read a message from Johnson:

"I walked in the arena one year ago and noticed that there were no championship banners here. Well, tonight it is great to have these championship banners raised for our fans of Pittsburgh, signifying that we have reached the top of the mountain.

This is the start of a winning tradition for the organization. Martha and I, along with our family, are watching via satellite at our home in Colorado Springs.

Thank you, to all the fans and people of Pittsburgh for your letters and prayers. I know your hearts are with us. We want you to know that our hearts are are with you."

Statitistics

Player, Position	Games Played	Goals	Assists	Points
Mario Lemieux, C	7	5	8	13
Jaromir Jagr, RW	7	3	7	10
Paul Coffey, D	7	2	8	10
Kevin Stevens, LW	7	3	5	8
Joe Mullen, RW	7	4	3	7
Phil Bourque, LW	7	3	4	7
Mark Recchi, RW	7	2	4	6
Bob Errey, LW	7	4	1	5
Larry Murphy, D	7	2	3	5
Jiri Hrdina, C	7	0	4	4
Troy Loney, LW	5	1	2	3
Gordie Roberts, D	7	1	2	3
Ulf Samuelsson, D	7	0	3	3
Bryan Trottier, C	7	1	1	2
Paul Stanton, D	5	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	5	0	0	0
Peter Taglianetti, D	5	0	0	0
Ken Priestlay, C	7	0	0	0

Patrick Division standings:

x	Record	Points
Capitals	7-1-0	14
Rangers	5-4-0	10
Penguins	4-2-1	9
Devils	4-4-0	8
Islanders	2-4-1	5
Flyers	2-4-1	3

Also in the news that day:

-Quarterback Alex Van Pelt threw for 267 yards passing and two touchdowns for Pitt in a 31-27 loss to Syracuse at Pitt Stadium.

-A 55-yard punt return by wide receiver O.J. McDuffie helped Penn State beat Rutgers, 37-17, at Beaver Stadium in Happy Valley.

-Quarterback Darren Studstill threw for three touchdowns and rushed for one as West Virginia defeated Boston College, 31-24, at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

-In Game 1 of the World Series at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, first baseman Kent Hrbek went 2 for 4 with a home run and led the Twins to a 5-2 win against the Braves.

(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)

< Prev		Next >