Twenty Years Later - Penguins 4, Blackhawks 3 - 03-15-12
"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' 4-3 win against the Blackhawks, March. 15, 1992.
The Penguins wrapped up a two-game road trip at Chicago Stadium. Center Mike Hudson gave Chicago a 1-0 lead just 1:14 into the game with a goal against goaltender Tom Barrasso. The only assist went to right winger Brian Noonan.
The Blackhawks took a 2-0 lead at 4:47 of the second period when defenseman Chris Chelios scored an unassisted goal off a slap shot.
A power-play goal by Kevin Stevens against goaltender Dominik Hasek at 13:33 made it a 2-1 game. Assists were recorded by center Mario Lemieux and defenseman Larry Murphy.
The Blackhawks went up 3-1 when right winger Steve Larmer scored off assists from center Jeremy Roenick and left winger Stephane Matteau.
Less than a minute later at the 7:27 mark, right winger Rick Tocchet scored to pull the Penguins within one, 3-2. Center Ron Francis and right winger Joe Mullen netted assists.
A second goal by Tocchet at 14:50 tied the game, 3-3. Francis and right winger Jaromir Jagr had assists.
Murphy scored his 20th goal of the season and the game-winner at 16:17 with a wrist shot to secure the win on a power play. Mullen and were credited with assists.
Notes:
-Barrasso made 23 saves in the win.
-The three stars were 1.) Tocchet 2.) Francis 3.) Hudson.
-Tocchet missed parts of the second and third period due to a broken jaw. A guard was afixed to his helmet so he could resume playing.
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-Barrasso returned to the lineup after missing three games due to a back ailment.
-The Blackhawks had a 13-game home unbeaten streak snapped.
Statistics:
| Player Position |
Games Played |
Goals | Assists | Points |
| Kevin Stevens, LW | 70 | 45 | 62 | 107 |
| Mario Lemieux, C | 56 | 36 | 72 | 107 |
| Joe Mullen, RW | 70 | 42 | 41 | 83 |
| Larry Murphy, D | 68 | 20 | 48 | 68 |
| Jaromir Jagr, RW | 60 | 29 | 31 | 60 |
| Ron Francis, C | 60 | 18 | 28 | 46 |
| Rick Tocchet, RW | 53 | 22 | 24 | 45 |
| Bob Errey, LW | 68 | 15 | 15 | 30 |
| Bryan Trottier, C | 56 | 10 | 16 | 26 |
| Troy Loney, LW | 66 | 8 | 15 | 23 |
| Gordie Roberts, D | 63 | 2 | 21 | 23 |
| Phil Bourque, LW | 48 | 8 | 14 | 21 |
| Kjell Samuelsson, D | 65 | 5 | 10 | 15 |
| Jiri Hrdina, C | 50 | 3 | 12 | 15 |
| Ulf Samuelsson, D | 53 | 1 | 11 | 12 |
| Ken Priestlay, C | 50 | 2 | 8 | 10 |
| Jamie Leach, RW | 38 | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| Paul Stanton, D | 44 | 2 | 7 | 9 |
| Jim Paek, D | 48 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Grant Jennings, D | 44 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Peter Taglianetti, D | 44 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Shawn McEachern, C | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Jeff Chychrun, D | 35 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Gord Dineen, D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Glenn Mulvenna, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Todd Nelson, D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jeff Daniels, LW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jay Caufield, RW | 44 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Patrick Division standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Rangers | 44-23-4 | 92 |
| Capitals | 40-24-7 | 87 |
| Devils | 34-26-10 | 78 |
| Penguins | 33-29-8 | 74 |
| Islanders | 30-33-8 | 68 |
| Flyers | 27-32-11 | 65 |
Also in the news that day:
-The Robert Morris men's basketball team drew a No. 16 bid to face No. 1 UCLA in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Arizona State's University Activity Center in Tempe Arizona, March 20.
-The Pitt men's basketball team accepted a bid to the National Invitational Tournament to play Penn State, March 19 at Rec Hall in University Park, Pa.