Sanderson dons a Penguins jersey

One of Derek Sanderson's few appearances
in a Penguins uniform.

Derek Sanderson joined the Penguins in Los Angeles on March 15, 1978 for the team's game that night against the Kings. It was the first leg of a five-game road trip that would go a long way to deciding the Pens' fate for the 77-78 campaign. They went into the game tied with the New York Rangers for the final playoff spot, with only 14 games to go.

Sanderson, no doubt grateful for another shot at the big time, nevertheless must have wondered just what kind of team he'd joined. Losers of two straight going in, the Pens showed little life and bowed to the Kings 4-2. The mood in the post-game locker room was not pretty, as noted in this game report from the Pittsburgh Press. "Just a terrible, terrible effort," observed coach Johnny Wilson. Roared centre Peter Mahovlich to his teammates: "Time is running out! Enough of this ----!" Dave Schultz attributed the team's falling fortunes to a lack of teamwork: "Everybody is trying to do his own thing and the system is breaking down completely."

For his part, Sanderson was still playing himself back into shape after a number of years of hard drinking and hard living. Check out the game report to hear Sanderson's story of what made him finally try to kick his drinking habit and get his life back on track.