Twenty Years Later - Rangers 3, Penguins 1 - 11-11-11
"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' 3-1 loss to the Rangers, Nov. 11, 1991.
The Penguins concluded a three-game road trip at Madison Square Garden. Center Mario Lemieux accounted for the Penguins' only goal late in the first period at 15:46 by scoring against goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck. Assists went to right winger Joe Mullen and left winger Kevin Stevens.
The Rangers tied the game, 1-1, when left winger John Ogrodnick scored against goaltender Tom Barrasso on a power play. Center Corey Millen and rookie right winger Tony Amonte were credited with assists.
New York took the lead for good and made it 2-1 when right winger Joe Kocur scored late in the third period at 15:45. Defenseman Brian Leetch had the only assist.
A goal by right winger Jan Erixon secured the win and made it 3-1 at 19:06 of the third period with a score against goaltender Wendell Young. Assists went to left winger Adam Graves and center Mark Messier.
Notes:
-Barrasso recorded the loss after making 23 saves.
-The three stars were 1.) Vanbiesbrouck; 2.) Barrasso 3.) Amonte
-Kocur's goal was awarded following a lengthy video review. Kocur's slap shot appeared to hit the boards. A replay official reviewed the shot and ruled it entered the net then squeezed through a hole in the meshing then hit the boards.
-After the game, Stevens told the Post-Gazette, "It's a joke. In a game like this, a game where we played our butts off, I can't believe something like that happened. How they can say the puck went through the netting is beyond me. There's no hole in the thing. There's no nothing."
-Young replaced Barrasso at 16:33 after referee Terry Gregson gave him a game misconduct for complaining about the Kocur goal.
-Penguins trainer Skip Thayer was ejected to tossing a pair of glasses at Gregson.
-Left winger Phil Bourque (concussion) and goaltender Frank Pietrangelo (back) did not play due to injuries.
Statistics:
| Player Position |
Games Played |
Goals | Assists | Points |
| Mario Lemieux, C | 13 | 11 | 13 | 23 |
| Kevin Stevens, LW | 16 | 6 | 15 | 21 |
| Paul Coffey, D | 16 | 4 | 15 | 19 |
| Joe Mullen, RW | 16 | 8 | 10 | 18 |
| Jaromir Jagr, RW | 16 | 5 | 8 | 13 |
| Mark Recchi, RW | 16 | 5 | 6 | 11 |
| Larry Murphy, D | 15 | 2 | 8 | 10 |
| Bob Errey, LW | 16 | 5 | 3 | 8 |
| Phil Bourque, LW | 15 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Bryan Trottier, C | 16 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Troy Loney, LW | 14 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Jiri Hrdina, C | 14 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Gordie Roberts, D | 15 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Ulf Samuelsson, D | 11 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Ken Priestlay, C | 15 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Grant Jennings, D | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Paul Stanton, D | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Jamie Leach, RW | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Jim Paek, D | 13 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Glenn Mulvenna, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jeff Daniels, LW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jay Caufield, RW | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ron Francis, C | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peter Taglianetti, D | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Patrick Division standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Capitals | 13-4-0 | 26 |
| Rangers | 12-6-1 | 25 |
| Devils | 10-7-0 | 20 |
| Penguins | 6-7-3 | 17 |
| Flyers | 6-7-1 | 13 |
| Islanders | 4-10-2 | 10 |
Also in the news that day:
-Penguins coach "Badger" Bob Johnson was named the Post-Gazette's Dapper Dan Man of the year.
(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)