EAST LANSING, Mich. — A 3.07 goals against average, .903 save percentage, 503 saves ... The numbers are all good for Jake Hildebrand.

Except one.

Five wins.

The Butler resident and Michigan State University senior goaltender hopes to improve on that figure in 2016.

“We've lost a bunch of tough ones, unable to secure leads late in games, it seems,” Hildebrand said of the Spartans' 5-13-2 record. “But, yeah, we're still confident. I like the make-up of this team and what we're capable of doing.

“Winning the Big Ten, getting to the national tournament, that stuff is still attainable. In college hockey, the team that's hot at the end usually wins it. We're hoping that's us.”

Hildebrand has already put together a storied career at Michigan State. He is second on the Spartans' career saves list with 3,268. His 12 shutouts rank third in school history and his 115 games played are tied for fourth all-time.

He's hoping to bring his GAA back under 3.00, where it has been annually for the Spartans. A fourth-year starter, Hildebrand has posted GAA's of 2.35, 2.44 and 2.18 the past three seasons. Last year, he was Big Ten Player of the Year and Goaltender of the Year, along with first team All-American.

He was a finalist for the Mike Richter Award as the nation's best goalie last year and is on that list again this season.

“I try not to pay attention to the statistics,” Hildebrand said. “My job is to help this team win hockey games.”

Michigan State does not play again until Jan. 8-9 against rival Michigan. The Spartans are coming off a disappointing fourth-place finish at the Great Lakes Invitational played at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

The team led Michigan Tech, 2-0, in the third periiod of the semifinals, only to succumb 3-2 in overtime Tuesday. In the third-place game Wednesday, the Spartans lost a 1-0 lead to Northern Michigan late and dropped a 2-1 decision in overtime.

“That's the way it's been going,” Hildebrand said.

Against Michigan Tech, Hildebrand made a diving save with no stick against Tyler Heinonen. The save was shown as one of ESPN's SportsCenter Top Ten Plays of the Day Tuesday night.

“That was cool,” Hildebrand admitted. “I got a lot of text messages and heard from a lot of people on that one.”

A communications major, Hildebrand will need to pick up five credits either on-line or in courses this summer before he graduates. He hopes to hear from a few NHL teams in the meantime.

“Ever since I was a little kid, my dream has been to play professional hockey,” Hildebrand said. “It's getting close. Every once in a while, I hear from or talk to a scout or two, but I leave that stuff to my family advisor.

“My hockey focus is on our team and on our next game.”

There are 15 Michigan State alumni currently in the NHL. The team's new goaltending coach, Jason Muzzatti, is a MSU alumnus who enjoyed a 16-year pro career.

Muzzatti was a first-round draft choice of the Calgary Flames and played for four NHL teams.

“He's been great to work with,” Hildebrand said. “He enphasizes positioning, staying on your feet and rebound control.

“You can always become a better player. I work at it every day.”