Brunnstrom Scores Twice but Red Wings Fall to Blackhawks, 4-3

Pro tryout Fabian Brunnstrom scored two goals for the Detroit Red Wings Wednesday night but it wasn’t enough for a youth-heavy lineup to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks, as the ‘Hawks rallied for a 4-3 win.

Despite icing a lineup with none of their top players, the Red Wings held a 3-1 lead midway through the game. Two power play goals and a third at even strength would put Chicago past Detroit in the second half of the game.

Patrick Kane, making his first appearance of the preseason, got the Blackhawks on the board with 9:14 left in the first period, taking a drop pass from Jonathan Toews as Toews cut to the net from the right side, then snapping a shot past Detroit goalie Ty Conklin for a power play goal.

Brunnstrom scored his first with 4:25 remaining in the period, tipping a centering pass from Gustav Nyquist past Blackhawks’ netminder Corey Crawford just as a Detroit five-on-three expired.

Drew Miller put the Red Wings up by a goal with 39 seconds left in the opening frame when he was left all alone in front of Crawford. Chris Conner sent a pass from behind the net to Miller who buried it.

Brunnstrom’s second of the night came at 8:08 of the second. Cory Emmerton put the puck on net on a wraparound chance and Brunnstrom was on the doorstep to bury the rebound.

Brent Seabrook blasted a shot past Conklin just 1:28 later on a Chicago power play to make it 3-2.

Only 1:29 into the third Duncan Keith dumped the puck into the Detroit end. Conklin left his net to play it but it bounced off a stanchion and out to Ben Smith, who buried it as Conklin dove to get back into position.

The game’s defining moment came at 5:26 of the final period. As Ben Smith broke in to the Detroit zone, Red Wings’ defender Brendan Smith lined him up for a hit. Ben Smith held up at the last second and Brendan Smith missed his check, driving his shoulder into Ben Smith’s head. Ben Smith was down on the ice for several minutes and Brendan Smith was given a five minute major and ejected.

During the five minute major, Doug Janik was called for interference, giving Chicago a five-on-three. With the two-man advantage, former Red Wing Marian Hossa beat Conklin from the stop of the right faceoff circle to put the Blackhawks out in front at 8:58 of the period.

Conklin finished the night with 20 saves on 24 shots. Crawford stopped 17 of 20 Detroit chances.

The Red Wings went one for two on the night on the power play while the Blackhawks scored on three of their six chances with the extra attacker.

The Wings’ next preseason game is Friday when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs.