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"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 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 talk with former Penguins left winger Troy Loney.

One of the few members of the Penguins franchise who had been around before Mario Lemieux was drafted in 1984, Loney had seen some bad times in Pittsburgh considering he never reached the Stanley Cup playoffs his first five seasons in the NHL.

Things took a turn for the better in 1990-91 as Loney helped the franchise claim its first Stanley Cup title that season. After being limited by injuries that season, Loney rebounded in 1991-92 by having one of his best personal season. In 67 game he contributed 27 points and served as a part-time enforcer racking up 127 penalty minutes.

During the postseason, Loney played in all 21 games, finished seventh on the team in scoring with nine points and helped the franchise successfully defend the Stanley Cup.

A member of the franchise for eight seasons, Loney currently works in medical sales in Pittsburgh.

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What was different entering that season compared to others where the franchise had struggled?

"Well you knew what to expect. So you knew how to win. You expected to win."

How difficult was it dealing with the death of "Badger" Bob Johnson and transitioning to new coach Scotty Bowman?

"It was a little bit different. Two different personalities. Completely different personalities. A different way of coaching. A different way of approaching the team. Different way of practicing. A different way of everything. It was a tough start of the season with Bob passing away. We didn’t really play really well until (some) trades later in the season. Once we got got (Rick) Tocchet in, and (Kjell) Samuelsson in and (Ken) Wregget in, It really seemed to gel the team."

How weird was it making that trade and bringing in several players who were members of the rival Flyers?

"Tocchet broke my nose (several) weeks prior to picking him up. Nobody like playing against Rick Tocchet. Nobody liked playing against Samuelsson. I played junior hockey with Kenny Wregget so I knew what kind of competitor he was. Bringing in guys you don’t like to play against is always a good thing."

What was key in the team's comeback win against the Capitals in the Patrick Division semifinal round?

"I remember Kevin Stevens stepping up big. Kevin was a very good player all around but it was on of those series where he kind of threw everybody on his back and said, “Follow me.” We had such confidence in our team where when we were down, it wasn’t like, “Do we think we can come back?” It was like, “Let’s just go win.” That was the kind of team we had. Those two (Stanley) Cup years, it didn’t matter when it was or what it was, there was always somebody different who always stepped up."

How did Ron Francis step up in the Patrick Division final against the Rangers after Mario Lemieux broke his wrist?

"Ronnie took that as a real challenge to himself. You could see he really took his game to a different level. And everybody around him? How do you replace a guy like Mario? You just don’t. You don’t replace a guy like Mario but if everybody picks their game up, that’s kind of what everbody did."

How close was the Stanley Cup Final against the Blackhawks?

"That first game against Chicago, we didn’t play very well but we still found a way to win. And after that, I always tell folks Chicago could have played with an extra man the whole series and we still would have beat them. We were just that confident in what we had to do. It was truly a unique team to be on."

Was goaltender Tom Barrasso's contribution to that team really undervalued?

"I think so. It wasn’t like he was stopping five-on-five (situations). He was doing a lot of two-on-one, three-on-two. We were so much one-way (offensively), that he had to make some big saves on the other end."

How do you compare the first Stanley Cup championship to the second?

"The first is still the first. I remember counting down the last seconds in Minnesota with “Badger” Bob behind the bench. That truly was really, really unique. The second one, a little bit easier to enjoy because you knew what was going on. And you could relax and enjoy everything going on around it outside of playing the game."

(Photos: Penguins Hockey Cards)

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