COLLEGE HOCKEY: Pioneers open NCAA Tournament play vs. Penn State; Air Force shocks St. Cloud State.

Senior just three victories from being Pioneers’ winningest goalie

Tanner Jaillet’s goaltender mask is a work of art that begins each season as a blank canvas.

After an NCAA championship and the Mike Richter Award as college hockey’s top netminder last season, Jaillet laid out design elements for his final goround with the Denver Pioneers: a Canadian flag, a Bible verse, the years from all eight DU national championship seasons and the image of a Pioneers goalie that came long before him — Ron Grahame (1969-73).

Grahame is now DU’s director of athletics with more than three decades as a Pioneer through several different roles. With DU set to begin NCAA Tournament play at 5 p.m. MDT on Saturday against Penn State in Allentown, Pa., Grahame’s place in school history is being challenged by the goalie who now honors his legend with a mask tribute.

Grahame won a programrecord 83 career games in net. Jaillet’s all-time mark sits at 81. So if DU advances to the national championship game, Jaillet will stake his claim as the most successful goalie in Pioneers history.

“I am very proud of the record, but I’d love nothing more than to see Tanner break it,” Grahame said. “He’s a quality young man. He’s done a wonderful job here at DU. He’s grown as an athlete, a person

Friday’s recap

Rockies 8, Reds 2

At Salt River Fields

The Rockies in recent days have settled into the lineup they likely will use Thursday to open the season in Phoenix against the Diamondbacks. It includes what they hope is a power-heavy middle of the order.

That power manifested Friday when Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning off Reds starter Homer Bailey. Arenado nailed an 0-2 fastball over the left-center field fence, a two-run shot that scored DJ LeMahieu. Gonzalez turned on a 1-1 curveball to right field.

“They get that feeling when they’re in there together,” Colorado manager Bud Black said. “The time is nearing. Our guys sense the finish line. It’s nice to get them together and hitting in the lineup where they will mostly likely hit most of the time.”

On the mound Colorado’s bullpen, too, lined up in regular-season fashion. Scott Oberg, Mike Dunn, Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee combined to throw three hitless innings. Dunn struck out Billy Hamilton looking in the seventh inning, in an unusual way. Dunn last season threw curveballs with just 6.6 percent of his pitches. Did he really catch Hamilton with a curve? “Yes. Yes it was,” he said, laughing.

At the plate

Ian Desmond singled twice up the middle, increasing his batting average to .222. … LeMahieu singled twice and stole a base, his first this spring.

Up next

Rockies at Cubs, 7 p.m. Saturday at Mesa, Ariz. Rockies RHP Jon Gray will start against Cubs LHP Mike Montgomery. Senior goalie Tanner Jaillet’s statistics as the DU Pioneers begin NCAA Tournament play Saturday: Career games, most in school history Career wins, second in school history Save percentage this season, second in the NCHC Goals-against average this season, seventh in the NCAA Shutouts this season, tied for fifth in the NCAA and definitely as a goalie.”

Added DU coach Jim Montgomery: “Ron Grahame was a terrific goaltender, and I’m not saying this because he’s my boss, but I remember watching him play in the NHL when I was a kid. The fact that Tanner is approaching his wins record or is close to it speaks volumes for what he’s done here at the University of Denver.”

Jaillet again proved to be among the nation’s best this season as one of five finalists for the Mike Richter Award. No player has ever won it twice. But the pressure to repeat was amplified by a youth movement on DU’s roster that led to increased opponent scoring opportunities. Jaillet’s motto: “Control what you can control.” He posted a 21-8-7 record with a 1.85 goalsagainst average, .929 save percentage and five shut- outs.

All the while, Grahame’s likeness shined brightly on Jaillet’s mask.

“We’ve got an amazing program here with a really proud history, and I thought it would be cool to do something a little throwback,” Jaillet said. “Plus, Ron is a legend at DU and is still a huge part of our program here.”

Grahame was lost for words when he discovered the tribute.

“I was a little overwhelmed, to be perfectly honest,” he said. “It was a remarkable gesture on his part and I was very humbled by it, but also very appreciative that he would think of me in that way.”

Hockey’s NCAA Tournament

NORTHEAST REGIONAL At Worcester, Mass. Saturday’s first round Cornell (25-5-2) vs. Boston University (21-13-4), 11 a.m.

Michigan (20-14-3) vs. Northeastern (23-9-5), 2:30 p.m. Championship

2 p.m. Sunday, ESPN2 EAST REGIONAL

At Bridgeport, Conn. Friday’s first round Notre Dame 4, Michigan Tech 3, OT Providence 1, Clarkson 0 Championship

4 p.m. Saturday, ESPNU MIDWEST REGIONAL

At Allentown, Pa. Saturday’s first round Ohio State (24-9-5) vs. Princeton (19-12-4), 1:30 p.m.

Denver (22-9-8) vs. Penn State (18-14-5), 5 p.m. Championship

4:30 p.m. Sunday, ESPNU WEST REGIONAL

At Sioux Falls, S.D. Friday’s first round

Air Force 4,

St. Cloud State 1 Minnesota Duluth 3, Minnesota State 2, OT Championship

7 p.m. Saturday, ESPN2 FROZEN FOUR

At St. Paul, Minn. National semifinals Thursday, April 5 National championship Saturday, April 7, 5:30 p.m.