The series is North Dakota's most-played,[2] and for Denver is second only to their rivalry with Colorado College.

[3] The two programs have met in the national championship game on four occasions with Denver holding 3–1 edge.

The then-Fighting Sioux returned in full after World War II and were one of only a handful of teams west of the Appalachians.

[1] With the exception of 1959, the two have remained conference rivals since and are typically regarded as two of the top programs in college ice hockey.

Additionally, the two have met in the final game on four separate occasions (1958, 1963, 1968, 2005) which is also tied for the most common championship rematch in NCAA history.