HAMMOND MAY BE PENALIZED AGAIN

cincinnati» Denver Pioneers junior defenseman Tariq Hammond was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for a check from behind that changed the momentum of Sunday’s game and might jeopardize his availability for the Frozen Four semifinals April 6 in Chicago.

After DU’s 6-3 victory over Penn State in the Midwest Regional championship game at U.S. Bank Arena, Hammond was both relieved and worried about the penalty that the Pioneers killed off.

“It’s not a good play. I can’t put the team in jeopardy like that, especially this time of year,” said Hammond, who may face supplemental discipline for the hit he delivered 26 seconds into the third period and Denver leading 5-2. “I just have to be more conservative next time and not take that risk. I was stressed for five minutes, but getting updates in the locker room. That’s why this group is so special, because they battle through adversity like that.”

Hammond said he had never previously been issued a major penalty, except for fighting in juniors, in his amateur hockey career.

Footnotes.

Denver will make its 15th Frozen Four appearance, sixth-most behind Boston College (25), Michigan (24), Boston University (22), North Dakota (22) and Minnesota (21). The Pioneers are looking for their eighth national title, which would tie North Dakota for second-most behind Michigan (nine). … DU is playing in its 27th NCAA Tournament, and 10th consecutive. … Senior center Matt Marcinew won 16-of-28 faceoffs and led a penalty-killing unit that was 4for-4. Mike Chambers, The Denver Post