(HockeyStL) -- The St. Louis Blues placed rookie sensation Vladimir Tarasenko on injured reserve as a result from a hit taken in the team’s last game.
The injury occurred when Avalanche forward Mark Olver walloped Tarasenko with a blindsided hit during the third period Wednesday. It appeared Olver’s shoulder made contact with Tarasenko’s head during the incident. No penalty was called on the play.
The Russian prospect was taken immediately to the locker room and did not return to the game.
Tarasenko has cooled off from a hot start in his NHL debut while posting 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 17 games played this season. The six-foot, 219-pound forward tied Wayne Babych for the best start to a rookie season with five points in the first two games.
The Blues have recalled Chris Porter to fill out the roster with Tarasenko out.
The 28-year-old forward appeared in 47 games last season for the Blues and posted seven points (four goals, three assists). He has posted ten points (seven goals, three assists) in 12 games for the AHL-affiliate Peoria Rivermen this season.
