From Dream to Reality: Rivalry Renewed as North Dakota Takes on Wisconsin in Frozen Four

LAS VEGAS (KVRR) – The bright lights of T-Mobile Arena are set to host one of college hockey’s biggest stages, as the Frozen Four comes to Las Vegas. On Wednesday, North Dakota hockey hit the ice for practice, preparing for a highly anticipated semifinal matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers on Thursday.

For the players, the moment is years in the making.

Junior defenseman Jake Livanavage reflected on the journey:
“This is just something you work for all year. You know, you talk about it from the first day you get in, and it’s a great feeling. It’s awesome to be here—and Vegas has been awesome so far.”

North Dakota enters the Frozen Four with momentum after a dominant showing in the Sioux Falls Regional, while Wisconsin punched its ticket in dramatic fashion, rallying for a thrilling overtime win against Michigan State in the Worcester Regional Final.

The matchup adds another chapter to one of college hockey’s most storied rivalries. Thursday’s game will mark the 174th all-time meeting between the two programs.

Senior forward Ben Strinden knows the history well.
“We’ve got a deep history with Wisconsin,” Strinden said. “I was telling someone about how our team was shown the fight—I don’t know how long ago it was—but Cary Eades went and jumped in Wisconsin’s bench. It’s been a good rivalry for a long time. Wisconsin’s playing great hockey right now. They’re a great team, coached by a great coach, so we’re excited for a battle.”

For Strinden and freshman forward Will Zellers, this stage carries even deeper meaning. Both grew up cheering for North Dakota and now find themselves just two wins away from a national championship.

“This is what you work for. This is what you dream about,” Strinden said. “I’ve been dreaming about this ever since I can remember. Big games to be remembered in—what an opportunity our team has here.”

Zellers echoed that sentiment, recalling what the tournament meant in his own home growing up.
“I remember my dad always watching these games, and every year he’d be pretty upset when North Dakota wouldn’t win it—you could see his mood change,” Zellers said. “This means a lot. Through my whole life, it means so much to me to hopefully bring number nine back to the city and everyone that’s supported us in the past decade.”

North Dakota is no stranger to high-pressure moments this season, but the Frozen Four presents a different level of intensity. Still, the team is embracing the moment rather than shying away from it.

“There’s going to be a lot more nerves and emotion that come with that,” Strinden said. “Instead of suppressing that, you’ve got to embrace it. I think all of us are ready to do that.”

Livanavage added that the key will be leaning on what brought them here.
“I think we just have to look back at the entire year—how good we’ve been playing and what got us here. There are going to be nerves, but that just means guys care. Work past those nerves, get your first shift, get a hit, touch the puck, and settle in right away.”

Puck drop between North Dakota and Wisconsin is set for 2 p.m. local time in Las Vegas (4 p.m. Central), with a spot in the national championship game on the line.

Follow along with KVRR for coverage from the game on social media and broadcasts.