By Michael Caples –
The Big Ten league office announced today their three stars of the week, and Michigan State’s goaltender is getting recognized for his outstanding play outdoors.
Sophomore Jake Hildebrand, a native of Butler, Pa., was named the league’s first star after backstopping the Spartans through their two outdoor contests as part of the 2013 Great Lakes Invitational at Comerica Park.
Hildebrand stopped 70 of the 72 shots he faced over the two-day span for a .972 save percentage. In the second day of the GLI, he shut out No. 3 Michigan after stopping all 29 shots he faced. The Spartans beat their in-state rivals 3-0 in the consolation game.
On Friday, he stopped 41 saves in the Spartans’ tie/shootout loss with the Michigan Tech Huskies, which was his second highest single-game save total this season.
Hildebrand led all Big Ten goaltenders with a .946 save percentage in December, and he now earns his second B1G star of the week.
2013-14 Big Ten Hockey Three Stars
Oct. 15 First Star: Andrew Copp, So., F, MICH
Second Star: Sam Warning, Jr., F, MINN
Third Star: Kyle Rau, Jr., F, MINN
Oct. 22 First Star: Sam Warning, Jr., F, MINN
Second Star: Tyler Motte, Fr., F, MICH
Third Star: Justin Kloos, Fr., F, MINN
Oct. 29 First Star: Nick Oddo, Jr., F, OSU
Second Star: Sam Warning, Jr., F, MINN
Third Star: Zach Nagelvoort, Fr., G, MICH
Nov. 5 First Star: Tyler Barnes, Sr., F, WIS
Second Star: Zach Nagelvoort, Fr., G, MICH
Third Star: Joe Faust, Sr., D, WIS
Nov. 12 First Star: Tanner Fritz, Jr., F, OSU
Second Star: Max McCormick, Jr., F, OSU
Third Star: Hudson Fasching, Fr., F, MINN
Nov. 19 First Star: Joel Rumpel, Jr., G, WIS
Second Star: Michael Shibrowski, Sr., G, MINN
Third Star: Logan Davis, Fr., G, OSU
Nov. 26 First Star: Zach Nagelvoort, Fr., G, MICH
Second Star: Tyler Motte, Fr., F, MICH
Third Star: Michael Brodzinski, Fr., D, MINN
Dec. 3 First Star: Seth Ambroz, Jr., F, MINN
Second Star: JT Compher, Fr., F, MICH
Third Star: Mac Bennett, Sr., D, MICH
Dec. 10 First Star: Nic Kerdiles, So., F, WIS
Second Star: Jake Hildebrand, So., G, MSU
Third Star: Justin Kloos, Fr., F, MINN
Dec. 17 First Star: Zach Nagelvoort, Fr., G, MICH
Second Star: Michael Mersch, Sr., F, WIS
Third Star: Brad Navin, Jr., F, WIS
Dec. 31 First Star: Jake Hildebrand, So., G, MSU
Second Star: Ryan Dzingel, Jr., F, OSU
Third Star: Nick Oddo, Jr., F, OSU