The Bulldogs had no need for extra time Saturday.
After two consecutive overtime games against two teams ranked in the nation's top-10, the University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team needed just a single goal to skate away with a 1-0 triumph over the No. 8/10 University of North Dakota at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, ND. Â The win puts an explanation point on the Bulldogs effort over the past three weekends against some stiff, and of course ranked, competition.
UMD bullied North Dakota netminder Shelby Amsley-Benzie all afternoon, outshooting UND 12-7 in the first period and 8-5 in the second. Â It was more of the same in the third period when
Meghan Huertas broke the tie with her first goal of the season at the 12:58 mark on the power play. Â Taking a cue from a Zoe HIckel pass in traffic into the slot, Huertas got enough on the puck to put it between Amsley-Benzie's pads, and the puck trickled over the goal line to give the Bulldogs the only score they would need.
Bulldog goaltender
Kayla Black would take it from there, thwarting a last minute extra skater rush by North Dakota to seal the win. Â Black, who has played outstanding in UMD's last four outings, had 16 saves on 16 shots in the game. Â UMD shelled UND 31-16 overall and recorded the lone power play goal after holding North Dakota scoreless in three attempts. Â The Bulldog penalty kill unit was a perfect 6-of-6 in the series.
UMD will take a break from battling the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's ranked arsenal to host LIndenwood University for the first time in program history. Â Saturday's game will start at 3:07 p.m., while Sunday's skate will get underway at 3:00 p.m.
BULLDOG NOTES: Â The shutout is the 11th of junior netminder
Kayla Black's career ... With a second assist on UMD's lone tally, senior winger
Jenna McParland now as 99 career points as a Bulldog ... McParland -- who leads the team in scoring with three goals and three assists for six points, has 46 goals and 53 assists in 113 career games at UMD.