EAST LANSING, Mich. — Opportunity was provided. Jake Hildebrand took it.

The Center Township resident and former Pittsburgh Hornets goaltender, who left the area three years ago to fill a roster spot in the United States Hockey League, is still adding to his resume'.

Now a freshman netminder at Michigan State University, Hildebrand ranks fourth in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) with a 1.85 goals-against average and second in the circuit with a .941 save percentage.

He's allowed 10 goals on 324 shots.

“We keep throwing challenges at him and he answers every one,” Spartans goaltending coach Mike Gilmore said. “That's what we like to see.

“We had no pre-conceived notions about our goaltending going into this season. Players earn playing time. Jake has certainly earned his.”

Will Yanakeff is a junior goaltender with the Spartans and is 2-4-1 with a 3.71 GAA so far this season. Hildebrand's record is 2-2-1.

“I figured I'd be mostly sitting for a couple of years and get a chance to be the No. 1 guy my junior year,” Hildebrand admitted. “But the coaches have given me a chance to play regularly and I feel like I'm responding to it.”

Hildebrand's first collegiate action came in a mop-up role against top-ranked Minnesota. He entered the game in the third period, his team trailing 6-0, and allowed one goal on 10 shots during the frame.

“They were probably testing me there, seeing how I'd keep my composure in that type of situation,” Hildebrand said.

He was right.

“The game was well-decided, but we like to use games like that to get a read on some guys,” Gilmore said. “There was no pressure in terms of the score, but there were 10,000 people in the stands, so that creates a little pressure on a young goalie.

“We wanted to see how he'd react.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound netminder reacted well enough to be given starts in a few big games. He stopped 40 of 42 shots in a 7-2 win over No. 8 Michigan, the Spartans' biggest rival.

He also tied No. 4 Miami of Ohio, 2-2, stopping 25 of 27 shots. Hildebrand then made 34 saves in a 2-0 loss to Miami.

“That Michigan game was unreal,” Hildebrand said. “We scored early in the game and the crowd just erupted. You feed off that stuff as a player.

“Yeah, there's a few more butterflies when there's a big crowd, but they do give you an energy boost.”

Hildebrand likes his early statistics, to be sure, but refuses to take sole credit for them.

“Our penalty killing has been excellent and the guys playing in front of me clear the zone and don't allow many quality shots,” he said. “I love playing for this team.

“Overall, it's a young squad and we feel like we're building a national title contender.”

The Spartans were 4-6-2 through 12 games this season, 3-4-1 in the CCHA.

“He's got quick hands and he sees the puck better than most goalies,” Gilmore said of Hildebrand. “He brings a strong mentality to the position that few people have. We like his competitive nature on the ice, yet he's cool as a cucumber at the same time.

“Jake always keeps his head on straight. He doesn't get flustered.”

Hildebrand played two years in Sioux City and last year in Cedar Rapids with the USHL. He had a 2.79 GAA with a .913 save percentage last season with Cedar Rapids. He had a 2.69 GAA and a .912 save percentage the previous year with Sioux City.

He wound up graduating from Seargent Bluff High School in Iowa.

“Everyone who plays college hockey has a pro career as his No. 1 goal,” Hildebrand admitted. “I've got a long way to go that way, so I'm going to concentrate on getting my college degree.”

Hildebrand has not declared a major, but is leaning toward communications.

“We're looking forward to watching him develop over the next few years,” Gilmore said. “He is already a top-flight goaltender.”