Twenty Years Later - Penguins 6, Flames 5 - 11-06-10
"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' 6-5 win against the Flames, Nov. 6, 1990.
The Penguins extended their winning streak to four games with a thriller at the Civic Arena. The Flames took an early lead 2:50 into the first period when right winger Theo Fleury beat goaltender Frank Pietrangelo. Assists when to defensemen Al MacInnis and Gary Suter.
At 9:29, the Penguins responded and tied the game, 1-1, when right winger Joe Mullen recorded a goal against his former team by putting a puck behind goaltender Mike Vernon off assists from defenseman Paul Coffey and Rob Brown.
Just over a minute later at 10:37, the Penguins took a 2-1 lead off a goal by center Randy Gilhen. Defenseman Randy Hillier netted the only assist.
Less than a minute later, the Flames tied it, 2-2. Left winger Gary Roberts scored off an assist from defenseman Jamie Macoun.
The Flames took a 3-2 lead 23 seconds later at 11:46 when left winger Paul Ranheim beat Pietrangelo. Center Doug Gilmour and Fleury recorded assists.
Calgary went up at 12:05 when center Joe Niewendyk scored off assists from right winger Sergei Makarov and Roberts.
The final goal of the period came at 15:34. Defenseman Zarley Zalapski beat Vernon on a power play. Assists went to center John Cullen and right winger Mark Recchi.
After a scoreless second period, the Penguins tied it, 4-4, at 13:44 of the third period when Zalapski scored again. Cullen and left winger Kevin Stevens netted assists.
At 16:07, the Flames re-claimed the lead with a power play goal by center Joel Otto against goaltender Tom Barrasso. Gilmour and MacInnis were credited with assists.
Less than a minute later at 17:04, the Penguins tied it again, 5-5, as Bob Errey tipped a pass by Vernon off a pass from Cullen. Assists went to Cullen and Zalapski.
With only 14 seconds left in regulation, the Penguins took the lead for good when defenseman Paul Coffey scored on a power play by putting a wrister from the left point by Vernon's glove hand. Zalapski and Cullen had assists.
Notes:
-Barrasso recorded the win by making 21 saves.
-The three stars were: 1.) Zalapski 2.) Coffey 3.) Barrasso
-The Penguins improved to 4-0-0 when Gilhen scored a goal.
-Barrasso made his first appearance since Oct. 27.
-Cullen re-claimed the lead in the NHL's scoring race with 32 points.
-On the Flames scoring three goals in 42-second stretch in the first period, Penguins head coach Bob Johnson told the Pittsburgh Press, "I thought it was going to be a long night."
Also in the news that day:
-Democratic incumbent Robert Casey won a second term as Pennsylvania's governor when he beat Republic challenger Barbara Hafer with 68 percent of the vote. It was the margin of victory in a Pennsylvania gubernatorial race since 1926.
-Altanta Braves outfielder David Justice was voted as the National League Rookie of the Year.