Twenty Years Later: Bruins 5, Penguins 5 - 11-05-11
"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 second 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' 5-5 tie with the Bruins, Nov. 5, 1991.
The Penguins closed out a four-game home stand with a tie at the Civic Arena. Right winger Joe Mullen opened the scoring 3:03 into the game with a goal against goaltender Andy Moog. Assists went to center Bryan Trottier and left winger Kevin Stevens.
Mullen made it 2-0 with a power-play goal at 5:46 of the first period off assists from center Mario Lemieux and Stevens.
The Bruins got on the scoreboard and made it 2-1 at 13:51 with a goal from left winger Vladimir Ruzicka against goaltender Tom Barrasso. Former Penguins center Andy Brickley recorded the lone assist.
At 17:48, right winger Mark Recchi put the Penguins up 3-1 with a goal. Defenseman Paul Coffey had the only assist.
Just 2:46 into the second period, Ruzicka scored again to make it 3-2. Brickley had the only assist once again.
Defenseman Grant Jennings scored his first goal of the season at 6:16 shorthanded with a wrister from the left circle to give the Penguisn a 4-2 lead. Left winger Bob Errey and Barrasso netted assists.
Right winger Jaromir Jagr scored the Penguins' final goal at 13:12. Assists went to Lemieux and Coffey.
The Bruins made it 5-3 when right winger Stephen Leach scored on a five-on-three power play at 19:25. Center Craig Janney and defenseman Raymond Bourque recorded assists.
Brickley scored on another five-on-three power play from the crease just 1:16 into the third period to narrow the lead, 5-4. Janney and Bourque were credited with assists.
Ruzicka complete a hat trick at 12:52 on a rebound goal. Assists went to Brickley and Bourque.
Notes:
-Barrasso made 34 saves to record the tie.
-The three stars were 1.) Ruzicka 2.) Mullen 3.) Brickley.
-Barrasso returned to the lineup after missing two games due to a hand injury.
-Defensemen Larry Murphy and Ulf Samuelsson missed the game due to family reasons.
Statistics:
| Player Position |
Games Played |
Goals | Assists | Points |
| Mario Lemieux, C | 11 | 9 | 12 | 21 |
| Kevin Stevens, LW | 14 | 6 | 12 | 18 |
| Paul Coffey, D | 14 | 3 | 15 | 18 |
| Joe Mullen, RW | 14 | 8 | 9 | 17 |
| Jaromir Jagr, RW | 14 | 5 | 8 | 13 |
| Mark Recchi, RW | 14 | 5 | 6 | 11 |
| Larry Murphy, D | 13 | 2 | 8 | 10 |
| Bob Errey, LW | 14 | 5 | 3 | 8 |
| Phil Bourque, LW | 14 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Bryan Trottier, C | 14 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Jiri Hrdina, C | 12 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Gordie Roberts, D | 14 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Troy Loney, LW | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Ulf Samuelsson, D | 11 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Ken Priestlay, C | 14 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Grant Jennings, D | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Paul Stanton, D | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Jim Paek, D | 11 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Glenn Mulvenna, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jamie Leach, RW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jeff Daniels, LW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jay Caufield, RW | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ron Francis, C | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peter Taglianetti, D | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Patrick Division standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Capitals | 11-3-0 | 22 |
| Rangers | 11-5-0 | 22 |
| Devils | 9-6-0 | 18 |
| Penguins | 5-6-3 | 13 |
| Flyers | 5-6-1 | 11 |
| Islanders | 4-7-2 | 10 |
Also in the news that day:
-In an election to fill the remaining three years of the the late John Heinz's Senate term, democrat Harris Wofford defeated Republican Dick Thornburgh in Pennsylvania.
(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)