| NHL Pittsburgh Penguins |
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Part of the NHL’s expansion of 1967, the Penguins played their first game on October 11, 1967. They made the playoffs in 1969-70, and again in 1974-75, where they made it all the way to the finals only to squander a three game lead, and be eliminated by
the New York Islanders.
It wasn’t until 1991 that Bob Johnson led a team that included luminaries like Mario Lemieux, Ron Francis, Paul Coffey, Tom Barrasso, Joe Mullen and Ulf Samuelsson to glory and the Cup. The next years triumphant Stanley Cup
win was bittersweet. The team had lost Johnson to brain cancer; the win was a tribute by an extraordinary hockey team to an extraordinary coach’s leadership and guidance.
The team continued to dominate in a third run for the Cup the following year,
but tragedy struck again. Lemieux was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease. After two months of treatment, he returned in time for the playoffs, but this talented and inspirational player was unable to bring the team to victory a third time.
In 1998 the
team filed for bankruptcy, but once again Lemieux stood up to the challenge, coming out of retirement to oversee an ownership group that bought the Penguins. He also returned to the ice to continue his leadership role with this legendary
team.
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Facts and Figures
Official Web Site:
www.pittsburghpenguins.com
T.V. Stations:
Fox Sports Pittsburgh
Radio:
?
Arena: Civic Arena
Capacity: 16,958
Franchise Date: June 5, 1967
Team colors : Black, Gold, & White
Minor League Affiliates:
Wilkes-Barres/Scranton Penguins (AHL)
Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)
Stanley Cups:
2 (1991, 1992)
2002-03 Season:
Finished 5th, Atlantic Division & 14th, Eastern Conference
GP 82
W 27
L 44
T 6
GF 189
GA 255
PTS 65
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