Twenty Years Later - Bruins 6, Penguins 3 - 02-09-12
"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' 6-3 loss to the Bruins, Feb. 9, 1992.
The Penguins lost their third consecutive game at the Boston Garden. Left winger Bob Carpenter scored 2:37 into the game on a power-play against goaltender Tom Barrasso to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. Center Adam Oates and left winger Vladimir Ruzicka netted assists.
A power-play goal by Kevin Stevens at 5:15 of the first period against goaltneder Andy Moog tied the game, 1-1. Right winger Mark Recchi and defenseman Larry Murphy recorded assists.
The Penguins took 2-1 lead when left winger Troy Loney scored at 11:00 off assists from left winger Phil Bourque and center Jiri Hrdina.
The game was tied again, 2-2 when Ruzicka scored just 1:45 into the second period. Right winger Stephen Leach and defenseman Gord Murphy were credited with assists.
A power-play goal by right winger Joe Mullen at 8:10 recpalimed the lead for the Penguins, 3-2. Assists went to Recchi and center Ken Priestlay.
Just over two minutes later, Ruzicka's second goal tied the game once again, 3-3. Oakes and Carpenter netted assists.
A goal by right winger Peter Douris proved to be the eventual game-winner. Carpenter recorded the lone assist.
Ruzicka completed his hat trick at 8:43 of the third period off an assist from defenseman Don Sweeney.
An empty-net goal by Ruzicka again at 19:38 secured the victory. Defenseman Glen Wesley had the only assist.
Notes:
-Barrasso made 36 saves in the loss.
-The Penguins dropped to 1-6-1 in their past eight games.
-The Penguins recalled defenseman Gord Dineen from Muskegon of the IHL.
Standings:
| Player Position |
Games Played |
Goals | Assists | Points |
| Kevin Stevens, LW | 55 | 37 | 50 | 87 |
| Mario Lemieux, C | 42 | 29 | 51 | 80 |
| Mark Recchi, RW | 55 | 33 | 35 | 68 |
| Joe Mullen, RW | 55 | 30 | 33 | 63 |
| Paul Coffey, D | 50 | 9 | 51 | 60 |
| Jaromir Jagr, RW | 48 | 22 | 28 | 51 |
| Larry Murphy, D | 53 | 11 | 34 | 45 |
| Ron Francis, C | 44 | 12 | 20 | 32 |
| Bob Errey, LW | 53 | 12 | 10 | 22 |
| Bryan Trottier, C | 41 | 9 | 13 | 22 |
| Troy Loney, LW | 52 | 8 | 14 | 22 |
| Phil Bourque, LW | 39 | 7 | 11 | 17 |
| Gordie Roberts, D | 49 | 2 | 15 | 17 |
| Jiri Hrdina, C | 39 | 3 | 11 | 14 |
| Ken Priestlay, C | 46 | 2 | 8 | 10 |
| Ulf Samuelsson, D | 39 | 1 | 9 | 10 |
| Jamie Leach, RW | 35 | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| Paul Stanton, D | 35 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Jim Paek, D | 39 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Grant Jennings, D | 40 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Peter Taglianetti, D | 38 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Glenn Mulvenna, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gord Dineen, D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Todd Nelson, D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jeff Daniels, LW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jay Caufield, RW | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Patrick Division standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Rangers | 35-18-3 | 73 |
| Capitals | 32-19-4 | 68 |
| Devils | 28-18-7 | 63 |
| Penguins | 26-23-6 | 58 |
| Islanders | 21-25-7 | 49 |
| Flyers | 19-25-10 | 48 |
Also in the news that day:
In the first round of the Olympic tournament, Flames left winger Tim Sweeney had a goal and two assists for the United States which defeated Italy, 6-3, at the Méribel Ice Palace in Méribel, France. Goaltender Ray LeBlanc made 17 saves in the victory.
-Two goals and an assist by Jets right winger prospect Teemu Selanne led Finland to a 5-1 win against Germany.
-Former Flames right winger Hakan Loob scored two goals for Sweden in a 7-2 rout of Poland.
(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)