Mazmania: Prior Penguins Stanley Cup Champions-1990-91

It was three years ago that the Penugins won Stanley Cup number 3, June 12, 2009. To many of my younger friends, this championship defined a franchise. I however, as an old man, very fondly recall the 1990-91 Stanley Cup Champions. It was a dream come true for a hockey fan, and most unexpected. The Penguins were coming off a disappointing season in 1989-90, where they missed the playoffs by one point, and the post season for the 7th time in 8 years. In the offseason, GM Craig Patrick got serious, naming Badger Bob Johnson Head Coach, and forever making it a Great Day for Hockey in Pittsburgh. He also added the legendary Scotty Bowman as Director of Player Development. Finally, the Penguins picked up veteran center Bryan Trottier to give some leadership. The season started with Lemieux missing the beginning portions due to a lingering back injury, and after 31 games, Pittsburgh was nine points out of a playoff spot. Patrick did not stand pat, picking up future Hall of Fame Defenseman Larry Murphy and winger Scott Young in mid season deals. In Mario's absence, Mark Recchi, and Kevin Stevens carried the offense with each getting 40 goals, while Recchi had 113 points, and Stevens totalled 86. In addition, rookie Jaromir Jagr added 27 goals, and the Doctor, Paul Coffey netted 93 points from the blueline. Mario only played in 26 games in the regular season adding 19 goals and 45 points. The development of other Pens players kept them in the hunt however. Then Patrick made THE MOVE that forever made the trade deadline time of year a holiday in my world. He sent highly regarded young defenseman Zarley Zalapski, and high scoring center John Cullen along with Jeff Parker to Hartford in return for future Hall of Famer Ron Francis, nasty defenseman Ulf Samuelsson, and stay at home tough guy Grant Jennings. The formula for a champion was in place. As the season ended, this team won the Patrick Divsion, and placed third in the Wales Conference. They faced New Jersey in round one, winning in seven games, and Frank Pietrangelo immortalized himself making "The Save" in game 6. The Penguins dispatched the Capitals next in 5 games to go to the Wales Conference Finals for the first time in team history, facing red hot Boston. The Bruins won the first two games and looked like they would take the series. Kevin Stevens then guaranteed a Penguins series victory, and the team reeled off 4 straight wins to earn their first trip to the Finals against Minnesota. The Stars won Game One and Three, while the Penguins took Games Two, Four, and Five to take a 3-2 series lead. I can remember watching at my brother in law's house in disbelief as the Penguins dismantled the North Stars 8-0 in Game 6 to win their first title! I was dizzy with pride and joy for the team that I loved, who had been a league laughingstock for years! Now they were at the top of the mountain! The trip to the airport was an epic adventure in insanity, and the parade a thing of beauty. It is a run and a night I will never