Tuesday, January 16, 2007
In Back to the Future, Part II, Marty McFly and Doc Brown try to get back to 1985, but because of unforeseen circumstances, they return to an alternative 1985.
So, of course, this got the Pensblog staff thinking, and we have decided to borrow the DeLorean and find the alternative 1993...
To see what it would've been like if the Penguins had beaten the New York Islanders in that prolific Game 7.
Thanks Marty
....................................................
When I think about my childhood, I think about three or four events that signaled the end of it:
Sid Bream scoring on Francisco Cabrera's single in 1991...
Gumby going off TV...
...and Salute Your Shorts getting cancelled.
Sid Bream scoring on Francisco Cabrera's single in 1991...
Gumby going off TV...
...and Salute Your Shorts getting cancelled.
But the moment I knew my happy childhood was over was when David Volek cruised down the right wing at the 5:16 mark of overtime in Game 7.
Not only because it was just plain gut-wrenching, but because it prevented a possible Mario Lemieux vs. Patrick Roy/Montreal Wales Conference finals and a possible Mario vs. Wayne, winner-take-all Stanley Cup Finals.
You could only dream about what would've happened; how things would've been different.
Until now........
ALTERNATIVE 1993
May 14, 1993
Game 7
Pens vs. Isles
The shot hits the post and bounces over the glass, killing Christina Aguilera sitting in section B15.
12/18/80 - 5/14/93
As OT wears on, the Pens and Isles go back and forth.
And then...it happens.
Peter Taglianetti brings the house down, beating the immortal Islander goalie Glen Healy at the 17:53 mark.
His goal will forever be known as "The Hand of Tags Goal," after a Mario Lemieux slapshot goes through his hand and past Healy. Taglianetti later dies at Mercy Hospital.
Tags dies in alternative 1993, but a statue is built to remember his goal.
With the Pens finally past the Isles, one of the more emotional series in the history of life is upon them. A date with Mario Lemieux's hometown team: The Montreal Canadiens.
And what a series it was.
Eleven people have to go to the hospital due to his stirring rendition.
Game One was a fierce battle, but Montreal wins 4-3 on a late third-period goal by John LeClair.
Game Two will forever be remembered as "The Chicken Game".
The Pens and Habs were tied 4-4 going into the third period.
Mario Lemieux scores on a short-handed breakaway to give the Pens a 5-4 lead with about 8:00 left in the game.
In celebration of the goal, someone in the Civic Arena stands throws a live chicken onto the ice.
The Pens added an empty-net goal at the end to send the series to Montreal tied at one apiece.
Le Forum de Montreal.
And what a series it was.
Game 1:
Jeff Jimerson belts out O Canada prior to Game One against Montreal.Eleven people have to go to the hospital due to his stirring rendition.
Game One was a fierce battle, but Montreal wins 4-3 on a late third-period goal by John LeClair.
Game 2:
Game Two will forever be remembered as "The Chicken Game".
The Pens and Habs were tied 4-4 going into the third period.
Mario Lemieux scores on a short-handed breakaway to give the Pens a 5-4 lead with about 8:00 left in the game.
In celebration of the goal, someone in the Civic Arena stands throws a live chicken onto the ice.
The Pens added an empty-net goal at the end to send the series to Montreal tied at one apiece.
Game 3:
Le Forum de Montreal.
With the entire hockey world brimming with expectation, the Pens enter the Montreal Forum for Game Three.
The mystique and aura around playing in this heralded stadium during the Stanley Cup Playoffs makes the Penguins vomit on themselves for much of the game.
Every Penguin...except for one.
Mario Lemieux grew up around these parts and simply took this game over.
2 G, 2 A.
Pens win 3-1.
Lemieux: 4 points on the Pens' 3 goals. That's how sick Lemieux was in 1993.
This game was the defining moment in young Penguin Shawn McEachern's career.
The night before, he had hit the town with a few other Penguins.
McEachern learns French and ends up banging Patrick Roy's wife three times in the bathroom of some bar.
To add insult to injury, the next night in Game 4, Shawn McEachern scores the game-winner in overtime and blows a kiss to Roy's wife in the stands.
Patrick Roy sees this and viciously attacks McEachern, knocking him out for the rest of the playoffs.
The NHL clamps down hard, and Roy is suspended for the rest of the playoffs.
When questioned as to what Roy said to him, McEachern replied, "I don't know. I couldn't hear him 'cause his wife's thong was stuck in my ear."
Game 5 back in Pittsburgh should not have even been played.
With Patrick Roy unavailable, the Penguins beat the Canadiens and backup goalie Andre Racicot 17-3.
This sets up a Stanley Cup Final between Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky.
The mystique and aura around playing in this heralded stadium during the Stanley Cup Playoffs makes the Penguins vomit on themselves for much of the game.
Every Penguin...except for one.
Mario Lemieux grew up around these parts and simply took this game over.
2 G, 2 A.
Pens win 3-1.
Lemieux: 4 points on the Pens' 3 goals. That's how sick Lemieux was in 1993.
Game 4:
This game was the defining moment in young Penguin Shawn McEachern's career.
The night before, he had hit the town with a few other Penguins.
McEachern learns French and ends up banging Patrick Roy's wife three times in the bathroom of some bar.
To add insult to injury, the next night in Game 4, Shawn McEachern scores the game-winner in overtime and blows a kiss to Roy's wife in the stands.
Patrick Roy sees this and viciously attacks McEachern, knocking him out for the rest of the playoffs.
The NHL clamps down hard, and Roy is suspended for the rest of the playoffs.
When questioned as to what Roy said to him, McEachern replied, "I don't know. I couldn't hear him 'cause his wife's thong was stuck in my ear."
Game 5:
Game 5 back in Pittsburgh should not have even been played.
With Patrick Roy unavailable, the Penguins beat the Canadiens and backup goalie Andre Racicot 17-3.
This sets up a Stanley Cup Final between Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky.
.....................................
Stanley Cup Finals
Lemieux vs. Gretzky
It brought comparisons to the other great match-ups in history:
Jordan vs. Bird
Foreman vs. Ali
Roe vs. Wade
Because of the excitement surrounding this series, the NHL and the city of Pittsburgh moves the home games in this series to Three Rivers Stadium.
Due to the ice on the field, the city is forced to part ways with the Steelers.
Prior to Game One, Wayne Gretzky's goons slash Lemieux's tires at his house in Sewickley, a Pittsburgh suburb.
Lemieux calls Jagr to pick him up for the game.
On the way to the game, in a car crash rivaled only by Philadelphia Phillies' Darren Daulton and Lenny Dykstra's car crash of 1991, Jagr is speeding and gets into an accident.
Lemieux and Jagr spend Game One in the hospital, watching the Kings take a 1-0 series lead with a 5-1 victory.
Gretzky scores all five goals for Los Angeles.
Lemieux and Jagr return for Game Two, and the Kings didn't even know what hit them.
Lemieux and Jagr score 2 goals apiece, and Barrasso scores an empty-net goal to seal a 6-4 win.
Out in Hollywood for games three and four, the Pens take in the movie-star atmosphere.
Jim Paek is lost for the rest of the series after an all-night coke binge with Nick Nolte and Kevin Pollack.
Despite losing Paek, the Pens rally around each other and pull out an impressive 4-1 victory in the Los Angeles Forum.
Word has spread about Gretzky's goons slashing Lemieux's tires prior to Game One.
In an effort to arouse some more home-ice advantage, the Kings hand out pocket knives to everyone in attendance.
The final count isn't exact, but 350 people in attendance were dead by the first intermission.
Due to the stench of death permeating in the Forum, the Kings are forced to forfeit the game.
The Pens head back to Pittsburgh with a chance to clinch the Stanley Cup on home ice.
This game is easily one of the most memorable in hockey history.
The great Lemieux/Gretzky match-up has not turned out exactly as it was billed.
Other than committing felonies and the resulting Game One, Gretzky has done nothing to merit attention while Lemieux has stolen the headlines.
With all of the surrounding scandals, the Kings were not in any condition to play Game Five.
The Kings were down 4-0 midway through the second period when the most egregious event in sports history occurred.
During a commercial break, a male streaker jumped onto the ice and ran straight towards Wayne Gretzky.
He hugs Wayne Gretzky, and Gretzky proceeds to make out with the guy for the rest of the commercial break.
Wayne Gretzky comes out of the closet at a special press conference during the second intermission.
Because he is gay, the NHL puts an asterisk beside all of his NHL records.
He retires before the 1993-94 season.
Pens go on to handily defeat the Kings 5-1, and they win the Cup.
Stanley Cup Finals
Lemieux vs. Gretzky
It brought comparisons to the other great match-ups in history:
Jordan vs. Bird
Foreman vs. Ali
Roe vs. Wade
Game One:
Because of the excitement surrounding this series, the NHL and the city of Pittsburgh moves the home games in this series to Three Rivers Stadium.
Due to the ice on the field, the city is forced to part ways with the Steelers.
Prior to Game One, Wayne Gretzky's goons slash Lemieux's tires at his house in Sewickley, a Pittsburgh suburb.
Lemieux calls Jagr to pick him up for the game.
On the way to the game, in a car crash rivaled only by Philadelphia Phillies' Darren Daulton and Lenny Dykstra's car crash of 1991, Jagr is speeding and gets into an accident.
Lemieux and Jagr spend Game One in the hospital, watching the Kings take a 1-0 series lead with a 5-1 victory.
Gretzky scores all five goals for Los Angeles.
Game Two:
Lemieux and Jagr return for Game Two, and the Kings didn't even know what hit them.
Lemieux and Jagr score 2 goals apiece, and Barrasso scores an empty-net goal to seal a 6-4 win.
Game Three:
Out in Hollywood for games three and four, the Pens take in the movie-star atmosphere.
Jim Paek is lost for the rest of the series after an all-night coke binge with Nick Nolte and Kevin Pollack.
Despite losing Paek, the Pens rally around each other and pull out an impressive 4-1 victory in the Los Angeles Forum.
Game Four:
Word has spread about Gretzky's goons slashing Lemieux's tires prior to Game One.
In an effort to arouse some more home-ice advantage, the Kings hand out pocket knives to everyone in attendance.
The final count isn't exact, but 350 people in attendance were dead by the first intermission.
Due to the stench of death permeating in the Forum, the Kings are forced to forfeit the game.
The Pens head back to Pittsburgh with a chance to clinch the Stanley Cup on home ice.
Game Five:
This game is easily one of the most memorable in hockey history.
The great Lemieux/Gretzky match-up has not turned out exactly as it was billed.
Other than committing felonies and the resulting Game One, Gretzky has done nothing to merit attention while Lemieux has stolen the headlines.
With all of the surrounding scandals, the Kings were not in any condition to play Game Five.
The Kings were down 4-0 midway through the second period when the most egregious event in sports history occurred.
During a commercial break, a male streaker jumped onto the ice and ran straight towards Wayne Gretzky.
He hugs Wayne Gretzky, and Gretzky proceeds to make out with the guy for the rest of the commercial break.
Wayne Gretzky comes out of the closet at a special press conference during the second intermission.
Because he is gay, the NHL puts an asterisk beside all of his NHL records.
He retires before the 1993-94 season.
Pens go on to handily defeat the Kings 5-1, and they win the Cup.
......................................
Due to this alternative 1993:
Couldn't take the backup role like a man.
Due to this alternative 1993:
- Due to his team's huge win, owner Howard Baldwin has more money than he knows what to do with. He takes a chance on a script called "Titanic." He makes a few minor changes and casts Mario Lemieux to play the star role. The movie, a true story about how Mario Lemieux saves the Titanic, opens to a $500-billion weekend. Mario is payed half the profit. Howard Baldwin builds 17 new arenas.
- During the postgame celebration of the Stanley Cup, Paul Steigerwald is hit by a champagne cork in the eye. He loses his left eye and is forced to wear an eye patch for the rest of his life. Because of this, "One-Eye Steigy" is forced to do radio the rest of his days, and the Pens sign Mike Lange to a lifetime TV contract.
- The Penguins go on to win 8 more Stanley Cups in the '90s, becoming the team of the millenium. Mario wins the Art Ross Trophy (305 points) in 2001, and announces his retirement the following day. He retires and is recognized as the greatest athlete ever.
- Tom Barrasso and running partner Frank Pietrangelo are elected into the White House in the 2000 Election. Gas drops to an unheard of 26 cents a gallon. Congress amends the Consititution, and Barrasso serves as President until 2014...when he is shot from the 42nd floor of the Steel Tower by Ken Wregget.
Couldn't take the backup role like a man.
- Craig Patrick, bored with having won so much, trades Jaromir Jagr for Kris Beech, Micheal Sivek, and Ross Lupaschuk.
- Howald Baldwin pays the 2002-2005 Penguins to lose every game so they can draft Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Jordan Staal.
- Jim Paek uses his now infamous coke binge to catapult himself into a career in Hollywood. His big break comes in 1995 when he lands the lead role of Korben Dallas in "The Fifth Element".
- Mario unretires in 2007, becomes player/coach of the Penguins, and wins a remarkable 14 straight Stanley Cups.
- The Vermont Steelers toil in mediocrity after leaving Pittsburgh, going winless in 5 straight seasons before being absorbed into the CFL.
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In accordance with the Fair Use Copyright Law, The Pensblog uses logos and registered trademarks of the National Hockey League to convey our criticism and inform the public.
Photos on The Pensblog are used without permission but do not interfere with said owner's profit.
If you own a specific image on this site and want it removed, please e-mail us (thepensblog@gmail.com) and we will be happy to oblige.
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34 comments:
you guys owe me a new keyboard and monitor after I just spit my drink all over it...wow lol
i have seriously not laughed so hard in a long, long time. wow. *classic*
I like the alternate 1993 so much better. Bravo!
Back in the real 1993, on the same night the Pens lost to the Islanders, my high school girlfriend (who had dumped me the week before) informed me minutes after the game that she was going to prom with one of my best friends. I guess she felt that my night wasn't shitty enough.
Anyway... not only does this story make me old, it makes me pathetic. Can you tell me whatever happened to her in the alternate 1993?
Great stuff guys.
Hopefully somewhere in the alternate 1993, Ricky DePee decided to play little league baseball instead of pee-wee hockey and he disappears before the game tomorrow night.
-Eric
always nice to see a donkey lips reference.
Great job guys!
What a story... for nearly 14 years I've been obsessing so much over what might have been on that fateful night... I'm cured now. Thank you, Pensblog.
...and fucking hilarious!!!
Great post guys! I could only wish it was Islesblog having to make it instead.
The post was brilliant, though I'm sure you can guess my feelings on using the picture of th "Sid Bream play" in public.
that was brilliant
derek.. a little harsh with the laura gainey thing
Just checked the Pens website, looks like we're gonna see Mike Dunham tonight instead of Ricky DePee. Ironic........
-Eric
wow.
wonder if shawn and mrs. roy went dutch with paek and mila jovovich?
jaromir heatley. interesting...was jaromir drunk or sober?
wait. mike dunham. isn't he GM?
*snicker*
Great alternate reality, I can still remember watching that game on my buddy's front porch, and all of us throwing our half-gone forty bottles on the sidewalk in disgust...and to think the Old E could have been saved had this happened.
And this is off topic, but Kansas City Predators, anyone?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/allan_muir/01/15/predators.woes/index.html
It won't let me post the full link, but it's on si.com's front page, Allen Muir!? talks about how the Predators corporate clientele has no interest in the team, and they could face relocation in '08.
Seth,
I deleted it.. what I meant to say was bowling...err..
Eh Jeh, your high school girlfriend gets shot, by Ken Wregget right before he kills Barasso. I think thats fair.
I hope he shot her in the five hole... and at least she didn't go to prom with Barasso.
thanks for clearing that up.
That was excellent. Barasso for president 2008?
And please, don't send the Steelers to Vermont. We can't handle a baseball team let alone a football one. New Hampshire?
Wow what a post to wakeup to!
Way to go guys. You made doing my laundry memorable with this post lol.
The mario 4 pts on 3 goals is a classic.
Holy shit, wow. Derek, I don't know if I should congratulate you on that amazing entry, or smack the shit out of you for having too much time on your hands.
I do however, like the new ending better.
Damn I miss salute your shorts :(
I need to know if Jim Paek won Best Male and Female Actor for his role in the Fifth Element. Rumor has it that his character was so awe-inspiring that they gave him both awards...
Great stuff.
The Bream play happened in 92, not 91.
Not sure we'd have beaten the Habs. Stevens was done, Mario's back was aching....
haha its funny when you read it a second time and realize what you missed. 500 dollar billion openining. Wow. I need a life.
Absolutly your best post yet! I myself have often fantasized about what would have been to see a Lemieux/Gretz Stanley Cup final that year(does that make me as sick and twisted as you guys?) The thing about '93 is i'm pretty sure all of us can say exactly where we were when that puck went in and ruined our chance to 3peat. I hate the Isles to this day more than any other team in the league.
That was too funny...the stuff bout Christina and Jagr crashing was the topping...great stuff!
TheGuyFromPgh Said
Jesus Christ! I haven't laughed out loud like that in a long time. I gotta give it to yinz, that was some funny shit right there. Keep it up guys, love the site. You def. made an avid reader out of me.
the Sid Bream play is my earliest and worst memory, thanks for bringing it up. I still blame Bonds and label him as a choke artist. Why do the Steelers have to move?
What's with the Steelers hate? I love the Penguins but also the Steelers and Pirates.
we love the steelers as much as the next pittsburgher.
we just like playing into the penguin-lover/steeler-hater stereotype.
go pens.
Guys I am not sure how many times we are going to have to say we support all our teams, we love the steelers as much as anyone. Its just funny to make fun of them.
and plus if you take any post in which we claim to steal a time machine and go to an atlernative universe seriously, then well I don't know..hahaha
But thanks everyone.
And yes we do have way to much time on our hands
"you're fucking dead"
-the wizard of croz
-Jay
Ya "You're fucking dead"
way to go Croz
now grow some and drop em'
Absolutely brilliant. If some jagoff hadn't already written "Buffalo 66," this would be a treatment for a screenplay. Up to the Pens to write "Buffalo 07" this year ...
I'm seriously dying, that was hilarious!
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