GRAND FORKS, N.D. --- The University of North Dakota women's hockey team was edged 2-1 in the series finale Saturday at the Ralph Engelstad Arena as the Wisconsin Badgers salvaged a series split.
North Dakota drops to 14-10-0 (9-9-0-0 WCHA) while the Badgers improve to 15-7-2 (11-7-2-2 WCHA).
Tied 1-1 in the third period, Madison Packer took advantage of a blocked shot near the point in the defensive zone and was off to the races for a breakaway opportunity. Able to get UND netminder Shelby Amsley-Benzie (Warroad, Minn.) to commit to a deke to her backhand, Packer slid the puck into the short-side of the net for the eventual game-winner at 15:25 of the third period.
After being shutout yesterday it didn't take long for the Badgers to light the lamp as Katy Josephs found the back of the net only 4:50 into regulation for the game's first goal.
Senior Jocelyne Lamoureux (Grand Forks, N.D.) was able to even the game before the first intermission as she sniped a wrist shot past Alex Rigsby at the 17:35 mark.
Both goaltenders stood tall in net with game-changing saves, but it was Rigsby that came out on top stopping 28-of-29 shots. Amsley-Benzie concluded with the two goals allowed and 29 saves on the night.
On the game's first power play, it was Rigsby that had to bail out her team as a shorthanded UND squad had a couple golden opportunities as Jocelyne Lamoureux and Monique Lamoureux (Grand Forks, N.D.) couldn't convert on a 2-on-1 and 2-on-0 rushes.
It was Amsley-Benzie's turn to shine and keep the game tied late in the second period as last year's Patty Kazmaier Award winner Brianna Decker was awarded a penalty shot late after a UND player covered the puck in the crease. Amsley-Benzie would make a big pad save and keep the game even entering the final stanza.
UND caught a tough bounce on the power play in the final minutes of the game as it was looking for the equalizer. Jocelyne Lamoureux beat Rigsby cleanly with a wrist shot but the puck clanked off the post and slid harmlessly behind the netminder and cleared from trouble.
Wisconsin went scoreless on the weekend in its power-play attempts and 0-for-6 tonight.
North Dakota returns to the road next weekend for a Friday/Saturday series with the St. Cloud State Huskies.
