Amy Menke watched the UND men’s hockey game Friday night and saw Michael Parks score a highlight-reel shorthanded goal to win the game.
“I told Sam (Hanson) that I’m going to do the same thing if I get a chance,” Menke said.
Menke got that chance. She executed it for a shorthanded goal just like Parks and ignited the UND women’s hockey team’s 4-1 victory over Bemidji State on Saturday afternoon in Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Menke’s goal tied the game 1-1 as UND killed a five-minute major in the second period and the team rolled from there, winning for the sixth time in seven games.
Menke scored twice, Josefine Jakobsen and Meghan Dufault each added one and goaltender Shelby Amsley-Benzie continued her hot streak, allowing just one goal.
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With the win, UND improved to 13-10-2 overall and 9-8-2 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings, where UND moved into fourth place, the key spot needed to host a first-round playoff series.
Bemidji State, which swept UND in Bemidji earlier this season, dropped to 14-12-1 overall and 9-11-1 in league play.
“North Dakota was the better team today,” said first-year Bemidji State coach Jim Scanlan, who previously coached in East Grand Forks. “I thought the key part of the game was the five-minute major. It was an opportunity for us to expand the lead and they made a play. Obviously, they got a fortunate bounce off of a stick, but credit her because she went and finished.
“From that point in the game, we were on our heels. Credit North Dakota, because they picked up their game and put us on our heels.”
Bemidji State took the lead at 5:01 of the opening frame when Stephane Anderson sniped the short-side corner of the net from the circle to end Amsley-Benzie’s shutout streak at 131 minutes, 27 seconds.
“Part of me was like, ‘Here we go again,’” Idalski said. “I thought in the second period, they responded.”
Menke scored the shorthander at 4:00 of the second period and added another one on a snipe from the right circle at 15:27.
UND tacked on two more in the third when Jakobsen buried a great feed by Andrea Dalen at 1:04 and when Dufault finished off a feed from Becca Kohler at 7:38.
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It was Kohler’s first game back since her father, Rick, passed away last week. The team wore decals on their helmets reading ‘RK’ in the colors of his college football team.
“I thought Becca was terrific,” Idalski said. “She’s been terrific all year. I thought she was awesome. I was super excited for her.
“Besides the obvious talent level, she’s a well-liked kid. She has a great personality and brings a lot of energy in the locker room. She enjoys being around the rink and she’s loved by her teammates.”
The teams conclude their two-game series at 2:07 p.m. today.
“We’ve got to have short memories,” Scanlan said. “Tomorrow is another big game. It’s an opportunity to get more points. Every point is so valuable. Every time you step on the ice, it’s an opportunity.”
