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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' 8-1 win against the North Stars, Oct. 31, 1991.
The Penguins snapped a five-game winless streak in a rematch of the 1991 Stanley Cup Final at the Civic Arena. Center Mario Lemieux scored a power-play goal against goaltender Darcy Wakaluk just 1:56 into the game. Defenseman Paul Coffey and right winger Mark Recchi recorded assists.
At the 11:28 mark of the first period, Recchi scored from the crease off assists from center Bryan Trottier and right winger Joe Mullen to give the Penguins a 2-0 lead.
Just 5:49 into the second period, right winger Jaromir Jagr made it 3-0 with a backhanded goal on a delayed penalty. Assists went to defenseman Larry Murphy and left winger Kevin Stevens.
Stevens increased the lead to 4-0 at the 13:35 mark with a breakaway goal. Lemieux recorded the only assist.
Lemieux scored his second goal of the game on his own breakaway and made it 5-0 6:28 into the third period off assists from Jagr and Stevens.
A goal by Mullen increased the lead to 6-0 at the 12:44 mark when he re-directed a shot by defenseman Grant Jennings from the left point. Jennings had the lone assist.
At 15:09, left winger Bob Errey scored on a penalty shot to give the Penguins a 7-0 lead.
Stevens scored the Penguins' final goal at 17:27 of the third. Assists went to Mullen and Coffey.
The North Stars scored their only goal at 17:55 when rookie defenseman Derian Hatcher scored against goaltender Frank Pietrangelo from the right circle. Center Todd Elik and left winger Brian Bellows netted assists.
Notes:
-Pietrangelo made 20 saves in the win.
-The three stars were 1.) Lemieux 2.) Stevens 3.) Pietrangelo.
-Usual starting goaltender Tom Barrasso missed the game due to a bruised hand.
-Defenseman Ulf Samuelsson missed the game due to a hip injury.
-Defenseman Paul Stanton left the game in the first period after suffering a town ligament in his right knee.
Statistics:
| Player Position |
Games Played |
Goals | Assists | Points |
| Mario Lemieux, C | 9 | 7 | 9 | 16 |
| Paul Coffey, D | 12 | 3 | 11 | 14 |
| Joe Mullen, RW | 12 | 5 | 7 | 12 |
| Jaromir Jagr, RW | 12 | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| Kevin Stevens, LW | 12 | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| Larry Murphy, D | 12 | 2 | 8 | 10 |
| Mark Recchi, RW | 12 | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| Phil Bourque, LW | 12 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Bob Errey, LW | 12 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
| Bryan Trottier, C | 12 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Jiri Hrdina, C | 11 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Troy Loney, LW | 10 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Gordie Roberts, D | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Ulf Samuelsson, D | 11 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Ken Priestlay, C | 12 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Paul Stanton, D | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Jim Paek, D | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Grant Jennings, D | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Glenn Mulvenna, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jamie Leach, RW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jeff Daniels, LW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jay Caufield, RW | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ron Francis, C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peter Taglianetti, D | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Patrick Division standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Capitals | 9-3-0 | 18 |
| Rangers | 9-5-0 | 18 |
| Devils | 8-5-0 | 16 |
| Penguins | 5-5-2 | 12 |
| Flyers | 4-5-1 | 9 |
| Islanders | 3-6-2 | 8 |
Also in the news that day:
-The "Halloween Blizzard" struck areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa causing 22 fatalities and $100 million in damages.
(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)

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