Twenty Years Later - Whalers 6, Penguins 4 - 11-29-10
"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' 6-4 loss against the Whalers , Nov. 27, 1990.
The Penguins lost their second consecutive game at the Civic Arena. Center Mike Tomlak gave the Whalers a 1-0 lead 3:52 into the game by scoring a shorthanded goal on goaltender Tom Barrasso. Right winger Pat Verbeek and defenseman Ulf Samuelsson recorded assists.
The Penguins responded at 9:43 to make it 1-1 when defenseman Zarley Zalapski beat goaltender Peter Sidorkiewicz on a power play off assists from defenseman Paul Coffey and right winger Mark Recchi.
A goal by center Dean Evason at 18:03 gave the lead back to Hartford, 2-1. Assists went to Mikael Andersson and defenseman Grant Jennings.
Hartford increased its lead to 3-1 at the 4:45 mark of the second when left winger Michel Picard scored his first goal of the season with assists going to left winger Todd Krygier and Samuelsson.
At 9:09, the Penguins scored again. Left winger Kevin Stevens cashed in on a power play off assists from Coffey and Recchi.
The Penguins tied it 3-3 at 17:31 off a goal from right winger Rob Brown. Zalapski recorded the only assist.
Late in the period at 18:57, Tomlak netted his second goal of the game. Assists went to Andersson and Jennings.
The Penguins once again tied it, 4-4, at 4:23 of the third period when Stevens scored on another power play. Zalapski and Coffey each recorded assists.
The Whalers took the lead for good late at 18:40 when center Ron Francis beat Barrasso for the game-winning goal. Verbeek and right winger Scott Young were credited with assists.
Evason added an empty net goal at 18:57 off an assist from Sidorkiewicz.
Notes:
-Barrasso recorded the loss after making 20 saves.
-The three stars were 1.) Tomlak 2.) Zalapski 3.) Samuelsson.
-The Penguins suffered their fifth loss out of six games and fell to 11-12-2 for the season.
-Prior to Francis' goal, Sidorkiewicz stopped Recchi on a breakaway attempted at the 17:18 mark.
-Whalers general manager Eddie Johnston, the former Penguins coach and general manager, admitted he asked current Penguins general manager Craig Patrick about the availability of Brown.
Also in the news that day:
-The United Nation Security Council approved the use of military action to free Kuwait if Iraq did not withdraw occupying troops by Jan. 15.