BLOG: Gopher commits in playoffs + U-18 WJC Schedule

Yes, the college hockey season is over. Several Minnesota commits play on, however.

Watch the highlights from the U.S. Men's National U18 Team's win over Belarus today at #U18Worlds.

More coverage: https://t.co/MZCPbh2Pj0 pic.twitter.com/TmFCWBYhyk

— USA Hockey (@usahockey) April 13, 2017

Scott Reedy and Nate Knoepke earlier today kicked off the 2017 U-18 World Junior Championships in Poprad and Spišská Nová Ves, Slovakia with a 7-0 win over Belarus. Knoepke (Farmington, MN) finished Thursday with two assists. His first helped up set Reedy's (Prior Lake, MN) goal (happens at about the :25 mark in the above tweet).

While Belarus isn't the toughest opponent in a tournament owned by the USA in recent years, competition will pick up quickly. The Americans are off until Saturday afternoon (morning in Minnesota) when Team USA faces a Russian team essentially back for its second straight year.

All Team USA games will be broadcast in the US on NHL Network. Remaining schedule (in Central time):

-Saturday April 15th vs Russia (8:30 AM)
-Monday April 17th vs Czech Republic (8:30 AM)
-Tuesday April 18th vs Sweden (8:30 AM)

-Thursday April 20th - Quarterfinals
-Saturday April 22nd - Semifinals
-Sunday April 23rd - Gold/Bronze Medal Games (12:30 PM/8:30 AM)

BCHL

Twice goaltender Mat Robson and Penticton have been forced to a Game 7 in the BCHL playoffs. Twice the Vees advanced to the next round.

Robson, expected on campus this fall, helped Penticton clinch a spot Monday in the BCHL Fred Page Cup final with 28 saves on 29 shots as the Vees defeated Vernon 3-1 to claim the Interior Division championship. Penticton will face Chilliwack in a best-of-seven series for the BCHL crown beginning Friday (April 14).

The winner moves on to the Western Canada Cup later this month although Penticton, as hosts of the event, will be there regardless of what happens.

USHL

Several Minnesota commits will be vying for the Clark Cup when the USHL playoffs begin Friday (April 14). They are:

Chicago: (F-Brannon McManus and F-Blake McLaughlin)
Waterloo: (F-Garrett Wait)
Fargo: (D-Clayton Phillips)

Waterloo and Fargo play one another in a best-of-five Western Conference series. Wait's Black Hawks host Fargo and fellow Edina native Phillips, named earlier to the all-USHL rookie first team, tomorrow and Saturday. The series then shifts to Scheels Arena in Fargo Tuesday.

Chicago, meanwhile, enters as the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Steel host Youngstown in a best-of-five series.

All the times and series can be found here. Games can be streamed (for a price) at HockeyTV.com.