MINNEAPOLIS — The North Dakota-Minnesota hockey series was a significant casualty of the football-driven conference realignment that interrupted so many classic rivalries across the country.

As if prearranged to mollify fans frustrated by the first regular season in 67 years without this border-state matchup, the rivalry will be revived this week at the Frozen Four in Philadelphia. Those close to the clash felt as if it was supposed to happen.

The Minnesota assistant Grant Potulny told goalie Adam Wilcox so earlier this season.

“He was like, ‘We’re for sure going to end up seeing them in the N.C.A.A.s at some point,’ ” Wilcox said. “And I’m like, Yeah, we’re guaranteed to do it. Sure enough, we did. Everyone’s excited about it.”

The N.C.A.A. semifinal on Thursday will be the 284th between the Midwest college hockey behemoths. Minnesota has a 138-130-15 lead. Gophers Coach Don Lucia’s record against North Dakota since he took over the program is 22-22-4.