• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Brunnstrom dazzles in debut as Stars top Predators

Oct 16, 2008 - 4:54 AM By John Tranchina PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

DALLAS (Ticker) -- It was the night of the rookie on Wednesday in Dallas.

Three different players scored their first NHL goals, but Fabian Brunnstrom hogged the spotlight by netting three - including the game-winner - in his first career game to help the Dallas Stars to a 6-4 victory over the Nashville Predators.

Brunnstrom, a 23-year-old Swede who signed as a free agent with Dallas last May after a league-wide bidding war for his services, snapped a 4-4 tie with 3:25 remaining in the third period with a quick shot over goaltender Dan Ellis' shoulder.

"It made it that much better to win the game," said Brunnstrom, who skated on a line with Brad Richards and Sean Avery. "I had some really nice passes and I just tried to be in front of the net. This has been my goal since I was little, to play in the NHL, and this is just a dream come true."

"He played a solid game," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "The goals are easy to see, but I was very impressed with the way that he played a pretty simple, error-free game, did what he was supposed to do, and he capitalized on some chances. It's a great start for him."

The rookie became just the third player in NHL history to notch a hat trick in his first game, joining Alex Smart of the Montreal Canadiens (1943) and Real Cloutier of the Quebec Nordiques (1979).

Nashville rookies Ryan Jones, in his second career game, and Patric Hornqvist, in his fourth, also scored their first NHL goals.

"For the time being, it was one of those dreams come true," Jones said. "It definitely helps things out. I will not be as nervous when I get into the next game."

Veteran Mike Modano added two goals and an assist for the Stars, who won their first game of the season (1-1-1).

Martin Erat collected a goal and an assist for the Predators, including a tally with 9:01 left that knotted the contest at 4-4 on a disputed play. After a mad scramble for a loose puck in front, Stars goaltender Marty Turco was lying on his side along the goal line as Erat shot into his midsection.

After a video review that appeared inconclusive, it was deemed a goal.

"I saw it go under (Turco's) armpit," said Jones, who assisted on the goal. "Then he kind of swept it out. There was no doubt in my mind it was a goal."

"It could have been a discouraging one, especially when it goes to replay and then it comes back," Tippett said of the play. "Usually I get a pretty good read from upstairs, whether it's a goal or not, and our guys thought it was inconclusive. Obviously, it went the other way, and that's how it goes some nights. Our guys did a good job of coming back after that, digging in and say, 'Let's find a way to win,' and they did."

It was the second contest in four days between the clubs, as the Predators posted a 3-1 triumph in Nashville on Saturday.

"It's disappointing," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "I didn't think we played a particularly great game, but we found a way to come back. When we get four goals, we've got to get a point in the hockey game. We were short in coverage on a number of their goals."

The Stars got on the scoreboard first with just 9.4 seconds remaining in the opening period, just three seconds after going on the power play. Mike Ribeiro won a faceoff in the offensive zone and worked it back to the blue line, where defenseman Stephane Robidas drilled a slap shot that sailed over the shoulder of Ellis.

Dallas made it 2-0 just 29 seconds into the middle period on Modano's first goal of the season and 529th career, a nice redirection in front of a pass by rookie B.J. Crombeen.

"Those young guys rub off on me," said the 38-year-old Modano, who skated on a line with rookies Crombeen and James Neal. "James and B.J. had great games. Sometimes youth can energize us old guys."

Radek Bonk jammed a loose puck past Turco on a power play at 3:56 and Hornqvist tied it at 9:04 with his first career tally to bring Nashville back.

Brunnstrom's first goal gave Dallas the lead again at 3-2 as he beat Ellis with a quick snap shot from in front at 11:45 of the second.

The Predators tied it again just 2:05 later on a tally by Jones, who swatted a loose puck in front between Turco's pads. But Brunnstrom restored the lead 23 seconds afterward, drilling a one-timer from low in the right faceoff circle after a cross-ice pass from Richards.

After Brunnstrom's third goal, Modano added an empty-netter with 3.3 seconds left to provide the game's final margin.

Nashville was without captain Jason Arnott, who suffered a broken finger in a 3-2 shootout victory over Chicago on Monday. Arnott, with two goals and four points in the first three contests, will miss at least the next two games.