Twenty Years Later - Penguins 10, Sharks 2 - 12-17-11
"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' 10-2 win against the Sharks, Dec. 17, 1991.
The Penguins hosted the Sharks for the first time in franchise history at the Civic Arena. Right winger Jamie Leach opened the scoring and gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead just 3:18 into the game with a goal against goaltender Jarmo Myllys. Left winger Phil Bourque and defenseman Gordie Roberts had assists.
Almost 10 minutes later at 12:37 of the first period, center Mario Lemieux scored a shorthanded goal to make it 2-0. Roberts had the only assist.
Just 36 seconds into the third period, right winger Joe Mullen scored the eventual game-winning goal with a slapper off assists from left winger Kevin Stevens and defenseman Paul Coffey.
The Penguins took a 4-0 lead when left winger Bob Errey scored at 4:45 off assists from Mullen and defenseman Paul Stanton.
At 9:56, Lemieux scored on a power play to give the Penguins a 5-0 lead. Assists went to right wingers Mark Recchi and Jaromir Jagr.
Recchi scored on a backhander at 11:15 to increase the lead to 6-0. Left winger Troy Loney had the only assist.
Less than a minute later at 12:26, center Jiri Hrdina scored making it a 7-0 game. Stevens and Jagr were credited with assists.
Leach scored his second goal of the game at 13:05 of the period off assists from defenseman Larry Murphy and center Ken Priestlay.
Stevens scored his 25th goal of the season at 17:45 of the period off an assist from Lemieux.
Errey scored the Penguins' final goal of the game at the 18:30 mark. Assists went to Mullen and center Ron Francis.
The Sharks got on the scoreboard at 12:16 of the third period when left winger Paul Fenton scored against goaltender Wendell Young. Defenseman David Williams had the lone assist.
Center Perry Berezan scored the game's final goal at 14:48 off assists from right winger David Bruce and Williams.
Notes:
-Young made 32 saves in the win.
-The three stars were 1.) Lemieux 2.) Leach 3.) Errey.
-The Penguins' eight goals in the second period set a franchise record for most goals in a period.
-Defensemen Jim Paek and Peter Taglianetti were the only Penguins' skaters who did not record a point.
Statistics:
| Player Position |
Games Played |
Goals | Assists | Points |
| Kevin Stevens, LW | 32 | 25 | 27 | 52 |
| Mario Lemieux, C | 29 | 22 | 30 | 52 |
| Paul Coffey, D | 32 | 7 | 34 | 41 |
| Mark Recchi, RW | 32 | 17 | 20 | 37 |
| Joe Mullen, RW | 32 | 15 | 22 | 37 |
| Jaromir Jagr, RW | 32 | 9 | 23 | 33 |
| Larry Murphy, D | 31 | 4 | 17 | 21 |
| Bob Errey, LW | 31 | 9 | 7 | 16 |
| Ron Francis, C | 22 | 7 | 8 | 15 |
| Phil Bourque, LW | 28 | 4 | 10 | 14 |
| Gordie Roberts, D | 30 | 2 | 11 | 13 |
| Bryan Trottier, C | 25 | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| Troy Loney, LW | 29 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
| Jamie Leach, RW | 20 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| Jiri Hrdina, C | 17 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Ken Priestlay, C | 27 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Ulf Samuelsson, D | 19 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Grant Jennings, D | 25 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Jim Paek, D | 28 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Paul Stanton, D | 12 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Peter Taglianetti, D | 24 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Glenn Mulvenna, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Todd Nelson, D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jeff Daniels, LW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jay Caufield, RW | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Patrick Division standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Capitals | 23-10-0 | 46 |
| Rangers | 20-12-1 | 41 |
| Penguins | 17-11-4 | 38 |
| Devils | 15-12-4 | 34 |
| Islanders | 11-14-5 | 27 |
| Flyers | 9-15-6 | 25 |
Also in the news that day:
-Former Pirates pitcher Bob Kipper signed a one-year contract worth $1 million with the Minnesota Twins.
(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)