North Dakota and Minnesota to Play Hockey Series
The two historic college hockey rivals will face off for two sold-out games in Minneapolis this week.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Hockey
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North Dakota and Minnesota are set to play two college hockey games at 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis starting Thursday. The upcoming contests mark the 301st and 302nd meetings between the two storied university programs.
Why it matters
The rivalry remains a cornerstone of college hockey, drawing significant fan interest and institutional support. Coaches have solidified the future of the series by signing contracts that extend the rivalry through the 2033-34 season.
North Dakota enters the series with a 4-0 season record, while Minnesota currently holds a 0-3-1 record. Both games at the 3M Arena at Mariucci are officially sold out.
The players
North Dakota
This university program competes in collegiate hockey and has maintained a long-standing rivalry with Minnesota for 300 previous games.
Minnesota
This university program is a prominent collegiate hockey team that participates in an annual home-and-home series with North Dakota.
The details
The university programs maintain their rivalry through an annual home-and-home series arrangement. Coaches for both teams view the historical matchup as a vital component for their respective fan bases, ensuring the series continues despite a planned one-year hiatus in the 2029-30 season.
Timeline
Thursday at 7 p.m. marks the first of the two games.
Friday at 6 p.m. marks the second game of the series.
The 2029-30 season is the scheduled year for a one-year hiatus.
The rivalry extension contract runs through the 2033-34 season.
Season Trajectory
This series continues a rivalry history that reached a peak of intensity during the 2014 NCAA Frozen Four. The outcome of these games will influence the early-season standings for both programs as they navigate their respective conference schedules.
Fans holding tickets should be aware that both games at 3M Arena at Mariucci are sold out. Minnesota will look to improve its 0-3-1 season record against a North Dakota squad that enters the Minneapolis series undefeated at 4-0.
The takeaway
The sustained commitment to this rivalry series ensures that these two historic programs will continue to meet annually for the foreseeable future. Supporters can expect intense competition as both teams look to build on their records through the 2033-34 season.
Further reading
For more on the current landscape of the sport, visit the Hockey section.
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