Twenty Years Later - Penguins 4, Canucks 1 - 03-05-11
"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' 4-1 win against the Flames, March 1, 1991.
The Penguins snapped a five-game winless streak at the Civic Arena. Left winger Kevin Stevens gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead 5:39 into the game with a goal against goaltender Troy Gamble. Defenseman Paul Coffey recorded the lone assist.
At the 14:12 mark, center Mario Lemieux scored his 10th goal of the season on a power play. Assists went to Coffey and right winger Scott Young.
Defenseman Grant Jennings, in his first game with the Penguins since being traded from the Whalers one day earlier, scored his second goal of the season at 6:26 of the second period. Lemieux and Stevens were credited with assists.
At 4:09 of the third period, right winger Mark Recchi scored against his hometown team off an assist from Coffey.
Just over ten minutes later, left winger Geoff Courtnall scored the Canucks' lone goal against goaltender Tom Barrasso off assists from right winger Trevor Linden and defenseman Doug Lister.
Notes:
-Barrasso made 26 saves to record the win.
-The three stars were 1.) Coffey 2.) Stevens 3.) Barrasso.
-The Penguins set a franchise record with their 10th consecutive home win.
-Recchi's goal was his 100th point of the season. He became the sixth player in franchise history to reach the 100-point mark in a season. He joined center Pierre Larouche, right winger Jean Pronovost, right winger Rob Brown, Coffey and Lemieux.
-Coffey played in his 800th career game.
-Jenning and center Ron Francis each recorded two shots in the Penguins debuts. Defenseman Ulf Samuelsson had one shot in his Penguins debut.
-Earlier in the day, the Penguins made two deals prior to that day's trade deadline. First, left winger Tony Tanti was dealt to the Sabres in exchange for center Ken Priestlay. Second, left winger Brad Aitken was moved to the Oilers in exchange for right winger Kim Issel.
-The Penguins recalled right winger Jamie Leach from Muskegon of the IHL and demoted goaltender Bruce Racine.
Patrick division standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Rangers | 34-22-12 | 80 |
| Flyers | 31-28-9 | 71 |
| Penguins | 33-30-4 | 70 |
| Devils | 28-29-11 | 67 |
| Capitals | 29-32-6 | 64 |
| Islanders | 22-37-9 | 53 |
Also in the news that day:
-Former Penguins center John Cullen and defenseman Zarley Zalapski were held scoreless in their debuts with the Whalers who were beaten by the Blues, 3-1, at the Hartford Civic Center.
(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)