Twenty Years Later - Blackhawks 7, Penguins 5 - 03-23-11
"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' 7-5 loss to the Penguins, March 23, 1991.
The Penguins had a 14-game home unbeaten streak snapped at the Civic Arena. Right winger Scott Young gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead with a goal against rookie goaltender Dominik Hasek. Assists went to left winger Kevin Stevens and center Ron Francis.
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Defenseman Bob McGill tied the game, 1-1, 43 seconds into the second period with a goal against goaltender Tom Barrasso. Defenseman Doug Wilson and center Jeremy Roenick netted assists.
Just over a minute later at 1:59, left winger Michel Goulet scored on a power play to give Chicago a 2-1 lead. Wilson and defenseman Chris Chelios had assists.
It too all of 11 seconds at 2:10 for Chelios to give Chicago a 3-1 lead off assists from center Troy Murray and defenseman Dave Manson.
At the 8:33 mark, center Mario Lemieux scored the Penguins' second goal. Left winger Bob Errey and defenseman Peter Taglianetti were credited with assists.
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Roenick scored his 40th goal of the season on a power play at 17:27 to put Chicago up 4-2. Right winger Steve Larmer and Chelios had assists.
Less than half a minute later at 17:49, Stevens responded with a goal off assists from Francis and left winger Troy Loney.
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Manson scored the final goal of the period at 18:54 to put Chicago up 5-3. Murray recorded the lone assist.
At 4:52 of the third period, right winger Recchi scored his 40th goal of the season to make it 5-3. Lemieux and Errey netted assists.
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Left winger Steve Thomas scored at 10:35 to give Chicago a 6-4 lead. The only assist went to center Adam Creighton.
Defenseman Paul Coffey pulled the Penguins within one goal with a power-play score at 13:12 against rookie goaltender Ed Belfour. Recchi and Young had assists.
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Chelios secured the win with an empty-net goal at 19:42. Goulet recorded the only assist.
Notes:
-Barrasso recorded the loss after making 30 saves.
-The three stars were 1.) Chelios 2.) Roenick 3.) Stevens.
-Penguins defenseman Ulf Samuelsson missed the final two periods due to a hip injury.
Patrick Division standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Penguins | 39-32-5 | 83 |
| Rangers | 34-30-12 | 80 |
| Capitals | 35-34-6 | 76 |
| Devils | 31-31-14 | 76 |
| Flyers | 33-34-9 | 75 |
| Islanders | 23-43-10 | 56 |
(Photos: Penguins Hockey Cards)