Rookies Tarasenko, Brunner score spectacular goals





By Allan Muir
I was up in the press box the night highly touted Stars prospect Fabian Brunnstrom scored a hat trick in his NHL debut, so I’ve learned first-hand the importance of tempering enthusiasm about a young player after a big game or two.
But geez, these kids are making it hard.
Take Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis’ 2010 first rounder who followed up a two-goal debut against Detroit on Saturday with a three-pointer Monday in Nashville. He got the Blues on the board just 1:18 after Colin Wilson had given the Preds a first-period lead with the type of goal that says it all about his hockey sense. Check out the video below to see him maximize his time and space by waltzing in, using Scott Hannan as a partial screen, then unloading a laser to beat Pekka Rinne.
A goal like that will move a lot of sweaters at the merchandise shop at Scottrade Center, but in just two games he’s hinted at the ability to do so many other things that will help this team win games. He’s unselfish, he keeps his feet moving and he’s fearless, driving the net at any opportunity. And he’s got a bit of moxie, as he proved by flattening Shea Weber in retaliation after Nashville’s man mountain had laid out Alex Steen.
Then, there was this.
