In triple overtime at Ralph Engelstad Arena on Saturday night, a game-winning goal from sophomore forward Amy Menke advanced North Dakota to next weekend’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association Final Face-Off.

The goal gave UND a 2-1 overtime win, awarding the team its second win of the weekend for a playoff sweep over Ohio State.

Hosting the 2015 Final Face-Off at Ralph Engelstad Arena served as an incentive to clinch the sweep last weekend.

“It’s awesome that we’re hosting it, and we obviously want to be in it,” Dufault said after Saturday’s win. “We wouldn’t want to host it and not be in it, that wouldn’t have been great. But we’re pumped that we got that done in two days, not three. Playing tomorrow wouldn’t have been very fun, but it will be exciting to be the first team at UND for women’s hockey to host it.”

A 5-2 win and a hat trick from Andrea Dalen on Friday put North Dakota in a position to end the best-of-three series on Saturday.

“The one thing we knew for sure we didn’t want to do was watch other teams play in our rink,” Menke said. “So just securing our chance to play in our rink that we’re hosting is pretty cool.”

Meghan Dufault had a hand on both North Dakota goals, with her assists. Dufault’s pass to Amy Menke on a 2-on-1 set up the game-winning goal in triple overtime.

“I passed it to her, just crossing my fingers, hoping she would put it in, and she did,” Dufault said. “Honestly felt like I was going to collapse after, because I was so tired. But it was such a relief. We’ve been on the other side of it, freshman year against the Gophers triple overtime, losing to them. Definitely feels a lot better winning.”

The overtime game Saturday night was the longest collegiate hockey game played in Ralph Engelstad Arena history. The game officially lasted 103 minutes and 17 seconds, nearly reaching six complete periods of play.

“It’s tiring, and it’s mentally exhausting,” Dufault said. “You get frustrated when it goes so long, and you get chances, but nothings going your way. It’s a battle, but we go through it so I’m pretty happy about that.”

Junior goaltender Shelby Amsley-Benzie continued to be a key factor to the Green and White’s success on the ice. Amsley-Benzie made 36 saves in Saturday night’s win over Ohio State, 14 of those saves came in the first overtime period.

“She’s been amazing all year,” Menke said. “Having her back there just brings confidence. You know that she’s going to be there and make those saves for you —  kind of calms the team down and you know that she’s got your back.”

Ben Novak is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. He can be reached at [email protected].