1969–70 Pittsburgh Penguins season

1969–70 Pittsburgh Penguins
Division	2nd West
1969–70 record	26–38–12
Goals for	182
Goals against	238
Team information
General Manager	Jack Riley
Coach	Red Kelly
Captain	Vacant
Alternate captains	Keith McCreary Duane Rupp Ken Schinkel Bob Woytowich
Arena	Pittsburgh Civic Arena
Average attendance	6,998
Team leaders
Goals	Dean Prentice (26)
Assists	Michel Briere (32)
Points	Dean Prentice (51)
Penalties in minutes	Bryan Watson (189)
Wins	Al Smith (15)
Goals against average	Joe Daley (2.95)

<1968–69	1970–71>

The 1969–70 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the franchise's third season in the National Hockey League. The season saw the Penguins qualify for the playoffs, for the first time in franchise history. The Penguins finished the season in second place in the West Division, 22 points behind the first place St. Louis Blues.

1 Offseason
2 Regular season
- 2.1 Final standings
- 2.2 Game log
3 Playoffs
4 Player stats
5 Awards and records
6 Transactions
- 6.1 Trades
- 6.2 Additions and subtractions
7 Draft picks
8 References

Offseason

Regular season

Tragedy struck the Penguins in 1970 when promising rookie center Michel Briere, who finished third in scoring on the team, was injured in a car crash. After spending a year in the hospital, he died.

Final standings

West Division
	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	PTS
St. Louis Blues	76	37	27	12	224	179	86
Pittsburgh Penguins	76	26	38	12	182	238	64
Minnesota North Stars	76	19	35	22	224	257	60
Oakland Seals	76	22	40	14	169	243	58
Philadelphia Flyers	76	17	35	24	197	225	58
Los Angeles Kings	76	14	52	150	168	290	38

Game log

No.	R	Date	Score	Opponent	Record
1	T	October 11, 1969	2–2	Oakland Seals (1969–70)	0–0–1
2	T	October 15, 1969	3–3	Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70)	0–0–2
3	T	October 18, 1969	3–3	Boston Bruins (1969–70)	0–0–3
4	L	October 19, 1969	0–4	@ Boston Bruins (1969–70)	0–1–3
5	L	October 21, 1969	3–4	@ Oakland Seals (1969–70)	0–2–3
6	L	October 22, 1969	0–2	@ Los Angeles Kings (1969–70)	0–3–3
7	W	October 25, 1969	4–1	@ Minnesota North Stars (1969–70)	1–3–3
8	L	October 29, 1969	1–3	New York Rangers (1969–70)	1–4–3
9	W	November 1, 1969	6–3	Minnesota North Stars (1969–70)	2–4–3
10	L	November 2, 1969	3–4	@ Detroit Red Wings (1969–70)	2–5–3
11	L	November 5, 1969	2–4	Detroit Red Wings (1969–70)	2–6–3
12	L	November 8, 1969	1–4	Chicago Black Hawks (1969–70)	2–7–3
13	W	November 12, 1969	3–0	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1969–70)	3–7–3
14	L	November 13, 1969	0–4	@ St. Louis Blues (1969–70)	3–8–3
15	W	November 15, 1969	3–1	Los Angeles Kings (1969–70)	4–8–3
16	L	November 19, 1969	0–4	St. Louis Blues (1969–70)	4–9–3
17	W	November 22, 1969	5–3	Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70)	5–9–3
18	L	November 23, 1969	2–3	@ Chicago Black Hawks (1969–70)	5–10–3
19	T	November 26, 1969	4–4	@ Minnesota North Stars (1969–70)	5–10–4
20	W	November 29, 1969	5–3	Oakland Seals (1969–70)	6–10–4
21	T	November 30, 1969	3–3	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70)	6–10–5
22	W	December 3, 1969	2–1	Detroit Red Wings (1969–70)	7–10–5
23	L	December 6, 1969	0–5	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1969–70)	7–11–5
24	W	December 7, 1969	3–2	Toronto Maple Leafs (1969–70)	8–11–5
25	W	December 10, 1969	2–0	@ Los Angeles Kings (1969–70)	9–11–5
26	L	December 12, 1969	1–4	@ Oakland Seals (1969–70)	9–12–5
27	L	December 14, 1969	1–2	@ Boston Bruins (1969–70)	9–13–5
28	L	December 17, 1969	2–5	Montreal Canadiens (1969–70)	9–14–5
29	L	December 20, 1969	4–6	Boston Bruins (1969–70)	9–15–5
30	L	December 21, 1969	0–4	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70)	9–16–5
31	W	December 26, 1969	3–2	@ New York Rangers (1969–70)	10–16–5
32	L	December 27, 1969	0–3	Chicago Black Hawks (1969–70)	10–17–5
33	W	December 31, 1969	4–2	Montreal Canadiens (1969–70)	11–17–5
34	L	January 3, 1970	0–6	@ St. Louis Blues (1969–70)	11–18–5
35	T	January 4, 1970	4–4	Toronto Maple Leafs (1969–70)	11–18–6
36	L	January 7, 1970	3–5	New York Rangers (1969–70)	11–19–6
37	L	January 8, 1970	1–3	@ Montreal Canadiens (1969–70)	11–20–6
38	L	January 10, 1970	3–5	Detroit Red Wings (1969–70)	11–21–6
39	L	January 14, 1970	0–5	@ Chicago Black Hawks (1969–70)	11–22–6
40	L	January 17, 1970	0–4	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1969–70)	11–23–6
41	W	January 18, 1970	6–4	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70)	12–23–6
42	T	January 21, 1970	3–3	Oakland Seals (1969–70)	12–23–7
43	W	January 24, 1970	4–2	Los Angeles Kings (1969–70)	13–23–7
44	L	January 25, 1970	1–3	@ Boston Bruins (1969–70)	13–24–7
45	T	January 28, 1970	4–4	Toronto Maple Leafs (1969–70)	13–24–8
46	W	January 31, 1970	2–1	St. Louis Blues (1969–70)	14–24–8
47	L	February 1, 1970	0–6	@ New York Rangers (1969–70)	14–25–8
48	W	February 4, 1970	7–5	@ Minnesota North Stars (1969–70)	15–25–8
49	W	February 7, 1970	3–1	Los Angeles Kings (1969–70)	16–25–8
50	W	February 8, 1970	6–3	Minnesota North Stars (1969–70)	17–25–8
51	L	February 11, 1970	1–7	@ Chicago Black Hawks (1969–70)	17–26–8
52	L	February 14, 1970	0–3	Boston Bruins (1969–70)	17–27–8
53	W	February 15, 1970	4–2	@ Detroit Red Wings (1969–70)	18–27–8
54	W	February 17, 1970	4–2	Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70)	19–27–8
55	W	February 19, 1970	6–1	@ Los Angeles Kings (1969–70)	20–27–8
56	L	February 21, 1970	3–6	@ Oakland Seals (1969–70)	20–28–8
57	L	February 25, 1970	2–3	@ Montreal Canadiens (1969–70)	20–29–8
58	W	February 26, 1970	1–0	Los Angeles Kings (1969–70)	21–29–8
59	W	February 28, 1970	3–2	Oakland Seals (1969–70)	22–29–8
60	W	March 4, 1970	2–1	Montreal Canadiens (1969–70)	23–29–8
61	L	March 5, 1970	3–5	@ Detroit Red Wings (1969–70)	23–30–8
62	T	March 7, 1970	2–2	St. Louis Blues (1969–70)	23–30–9
63	T	March 8, 1970	0–0	@ New York Rangers (1969–70)	23–30–10
64	T	March 11, 1970	2–2	@ Oakland Seals (1969–70)	23–30–11
65	L	March 12, 1970	1–4	@ Los Angeles Kings (1969–70)	23–31–11
66	L	March 14, 1970	3–6	@ Minnesota North Stars (1969–70)	23–32–11
67	L	March 18, 1970	0–2	New York Rangers (1969–70)	23–33–11
68	L	March 19, 1970	1–3	@ St. Louis Blues (1969–70)	23–34–11
69	L	March 21, 1970	3–5	Chicago Black Hawks (1969–70)	23–35–11
70	L	March 22, 1970	4–5	@ Montreal Canadiens (1969–70)	23–36–11
71	W	March 25, 1970	2–0	Minnesota North Stars (1969–70)	24–36–11
72	W	March 28, 1970	2–1	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70)	25–36–11
73	T	March 29, 1970	5–5	St. Louis Blues (1969–70)	25–36–12
74	W	April 1, 1970	4–1	Philadelphia Flyers (1969–70)	26–36–12
75	L	April 4, 1970	1–3	@ St. Louis Blues (1969–70)	26–37–12
76	L	April 5, 1970	1–5	Minnesota North Stars (1969–70)	26–38–12

Playoffs

The Penguins would reach the playoffs for the first time in 1970, advancing to the Western Conference Finals where they lost to the St. Louis Blues. In the Pittsburgh-Oakland series, in game one, Nick Harbaruk's goal midway through the third period was the winner as Pittsburgh won 2–1. In game two, Gary Jarrett gave Oakland a 1–0 lead, but Pittsburgh came back to win 3–1. Game three at Oakland featured a hat trick by Ken Schinkel of the Penguins as Pittsburgh won 5–2. Game four featured Oakland having 1–0 and 2–1 leads, but the Seals just couldn't hold on and the game was tied 2–2 at the end of regulation time. Overtime was necessary and Michel Briere scored the series winning goal at 8:28 of overtime for Pittsburgh. In the West Division finals, the St. Louis Blues beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games.

Green background indicates win.
Red indicates loss.

1970 Playoffs

Conference Semi-finals vs Oakland: 4–0 (Home: 2–0 ; Road: 2–0)
#	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	Series
1	April 8	Oakland	1 – 2	Pittsburgh	1–0
2	April 9	Oakland	1 – 3	Pittsburgh	2–0
3	April 11	Pittsburgh	5 – 2	Oakland	3–0
4	April 12	Pittsburgh	3 – 2	Oakland	4–0

Conference Finals vs St. Louis Blues: 2–4 (Home: 2–1 ; Road: 0–3)
#	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	Series
1	April 19	Pittsburgh	1 – 3	St. Louis	0–1
2	April 21	Pittsburgh	1 – 4	St. Louis	0–2
3	April 23	St. Louis	2 – 3	Pittsburgh	1–2
4	April 26	St. Louis	1 – 2	Pittsburgh	2–2
5	April 28	Pittsburgh	0 – 5	St. Louis	2–3
6	April 30	St. Louis	4 – 3	Pittsburgh	2–4

Player stats

Forwards

Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points

Player	GP	G	AST	PTS	PIM
Rick Kessell	8	1	2	3	2
Ron Snell	3	0	1	1	0
George Swarbrick	12	0	1	1	8
Dean Prentice	75	26	25	51	14
Ken Schinkel	72	20	25	45	19
Michel Briere	76	12	32	44	20
Jean Pronovost	72	20	21	41	45
Bryan Hextall	66	12	19	31	87
Ron Schock	76	8	21	29	40
Keith McCreary	60	18	8	26	67
Glen Sather	76	12	14	26	114
Val Fonteyne	68	11	15	26	2
Wally Boyer	72	11	12	23	34
Nick Harbaruk	74	5	17	22	56
Bryan Hextall	66	12	19	31	87

Defencemen

Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points

Player	GP	G	AST	PTS	PIM
Dunc McCallum	14	0	0	0	16
Mike McMahon	12	1	3	4	19
Bryan Watson	61	1	9	10	189
Bob Blackburn	60	4	7	11	51
Tracy Pratt	65	5	7	12	124
Duane Rupp	64	2	14	16	18
Jim Morrison	59	5	15	20	40
Bob Woytowich	68	8	25	33	49

Goaltending

Note: GP= Games played; MIN= Minutes; W= Wins; L= Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against

Player	GP	MIN	W	L	T	SO	GAA
Joe Daley	9	528	1	5	3	0	2.95
Al Smith	46	2555	15	20	8	2	3.03
Les Binkley	27	1477	10	13	1	3	3.21

Awards and records

Transactions

The Penguins were involved in the following transactions during the 1969–70 season:

Trades

May 20, 1969	To Pittsburgh Penguins Bryan Hextall	To Vancouver Canucks (WHL) Paul Andrea John Arbour loan of Andy Bathgate
June 6, 1969	To Pittsburgh Penguins Craig Cameron Ron Schock	To St. Louis Blues Lou Angotti 1st round pick in 1971 Draft (Gene Carr)
October 28, 1969	To Pittsburgh Penguins Mike McMahon	To Detroit Red Wings Billy Dea
November, 1969	To Pittsburgh Penguins Jim Morrison	To Baltimore Clippers (AHL) Bob Rivard cash

Additions and subtractions

Additions
Player	Former team	Via
Nick Harbaruk	Vancouver Canucks (WHL)	Inter-League Draft (1969–06)
Bob Blackburn	New York Rangers	Intra-League Draft (1969–06–11)
Dean Prentice	Detroit Red Wings	Intra-League Draft (1969–06–11)
Glen Sather	Boston Bruins	Intra-League Draft (1969–06–11)
Al Smith	Detroit Red Wings	Intra-League Draft (1969–06–11)

Subtractions
Player	New team	Via
Noel Price	Springfield Kings (AHL)	Reverse Draft (1969–06–10)
Charlie Burns	Minnesota North Stars	Intra-League Draft (1969–06–11)
Marv Edwards	Toronto Maple Leafs	Intra-League Draft (1969–06–11)
Bill Speer	Boston Bruins	Intra-League Draft (1969–06–11)

Draft picks

Main article: 1969 NHL Amateur Draft

Round	Pick	Player	Nationality
2	15	Rick Kessell	Canada
3	26	Michel Briere	Canada
4	38	Yvon Labre	Canada
5	50	Ed Patenaude	Canada
6	62	Paul Hoganson	Canada

References

"1969–70 Pittsburgh Penguins Games". Hockey-reference.com. http://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/PIT/1970_games.html. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
Player stats on Hockey Database
Game log on NHL Database

Pittsburgh Penguins seasons

1960s	1967–68 • 1968–69 • 1969–70

1970s	1970–71 • 1971–72 • 1972–73 • 1973–74 • 1974–75 • 1975–76 • 1976–77 • 1977–78 • 1978–79 • 1979–80

1980s	1980–81 • 1981–82 • 1982–83 • 1983–84 • 1984–85 • 1985–86 • 1986–87 • 1987–88 • 1988–89 • 1989–90

1990s	1990–91 • 1991–92 • 1992–93 • 1993–94 • 1994–95 • 1995–96 • 1996–97 • 1997–98 • 1998–99 • 1999–00

2000s	2000–01 • 2001–02 • 2002–03 • 2003–04 • 2004–05 • 2005–06 • 2006–07 • 2007–08 • 2008–09 • 2009–10

2010s	2010–11 • 2011–12

Highlighted seasons indicate Stanley Cup championship

Pittsburgh Penguins

The franchise	Seasons · Draft picks · General managers · Head coaches · Team MVPs · Owners · Players · Records

Arenas	Mellon Arena · Consol Energy Center Training Facilities: Rostraver Ice Garden · Island Sports Center · IceoPlex at Southpointe

Personnel	Mario Lemieux (Owner, Chairman and Governor) • Ron Burkle (Owner) • David Morehouse (President) • Ray Shero (General Manager) • Dan Bylsma (Head Coach) • Sidney Crosby (Team Captain)

Culture / Lore	1967 Expansion · Expansion Draft · 2008 NHL Winter Classic · 2011 NHL Winter Classic · Battle of Pennsylvania · Penguins–Islanders brawl · Bob Gessner · Iceburgh · Jeff Jimerson · Vince Lascheid · Penguin Pete · "The Save"

Affiliates	AHL: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins · ECHL: Wheeling Nailers

Media	Root Sports Pittsburgh (Paul Steigerwald · Bob Errey · Jay Caufield · Dan Potash) · Radio Network WXDX-FM (Mike Lange · Phil Bourque) · Dave Molinari

1969–70 NHL season by team

East	Boston • Chicago • Detroit • Montreal • New York • Toronto

West	Los Angeles • Minnesota • Oakland • Philadelphia • Pittsburgh • St. Louis

See also	1969 NHL Amateur Draft • All-Star Game • 1970 Stanley Cup Finals