Sports

Brunner, Smith lead charge as Red Wings beat Blackhawks 4-1 in Game 2 to tie Western semifinal

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Kane (88) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Western Conference semifinals Saturday, May 18, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (The Associated Press)

Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard adjusts his facemask during the first period of Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Western Conference semifinals against the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday, May 18, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (The Associated Press)

Damien Brunner and Brendan Smith scored in the second period and the Detroit Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 Saturday in Game 2 to even their Western Conference semifinal series.

It was a strong response by the Red Wings after Chicago handled them easily in the series opener, 4-1.

Just as the Blackhawks did in Game 1, Detroit took control in the second period and put the game away in the third. Now, the Red Wings have a chance to take the lead when this series between Original Six rivals shifts to Detroit for Game 3 on Monday.

Patrick Kane gave Chicago a 1-0 lead late in the first, but did things ever change after that.

After the Red Wings took the lead in the second period, Johan Franzen and Valtteri Filppula scored in the third.