“It was really exciting – getting to see all of my family and friends,” Hildebrand said. “I think there was 20-some-odd people that came to the game, so it was nice to get that shootout win on Friday.”

Hildebrand turned in one of his best performances of the year in that shootout win, making a season-high 48 saves before denying all three Nittany Lion shootout attempts.

“He played unbelievable,” junior forward and captain Michael Ferrantino said, “He made some really big saves Friday night to keep us in the game, keep us in the lead, keep us tied.”

For a while in the third period, it looked like PSU might spoil Hildebrand’s homecoming. The Nittany Lions’ David Goodwin was able to tie the game 2-2 late in the third period, but Hildebrand kept PSU off the board for the rest of the game.

“I thought [Hildebrand] played really well. He was dialed in,” head coach Tom Anastos said. “First night, I thought he deserved better on the second goal, the tying goal, that we gave up, but certainly he shut them down in the shootout.

“I think playing at home, he gets excited. Played there last year, I thought he played well last year as well. It’s always fun to go home.”

On Saturday, things did not go as smoothly for the Spartans and Hildebrand. MSU was able to take a 2-1 lead into the second period behind Hildebrand’s 15 saves. Things turned rather quickly as PSU scored four goals in an eight-minute span that carried over from the second period to the third period.

Hildebrand ended his night and return to Pennsylvania by stopping 35-of-40 shots faced in MSU’s 5-2 loss on Saturday night.

“Saturday was a tough game, but sometimes you just have to enjoy your family,” Hildebrand said.

While Hildebrand might say different, it is hard to pin those goals on him. According to Anastos, the Spartans gave up too many scoring opportunities to even give Hildebrand a chance.

“None of that falls on [Hildebrand], he obviously played really well,” Ferrantino said of Saturday’s loss. “In front of his friends and family, I know it was a big deal for him going home and it was good to see him have fun with it.”

Some of that fun had to do with who was standing in the other net. PSU’s junior goaltender Matthew Skoff was in net for Saturday’s game. Both Skoff and Hildebrand came up playing goaltender in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pa., and both have remained friends through the years.

“I know they’re good buddies, so I’m sure they went after it a little bit Saturday,” Ferrantino said. “I’m sure there was a few text exchanges, that sort of thing, and it makes it that much more fun for both of them.”

Even with the loss on Saturday, Hildebrand still tends to play some of his better hockey when he’s close to home. Over four games at Pegula Ice Arena, Hildebrand has compiled a 1-1-2 record while sporting a .932 save percentage. In the two ties, Hildebrand secured the Spartans two shootout victories by stopping all ten shootout attempts.

“I think whenever your family’s at the game, it just adds a little bit to it,” Hildebrand said. “I don’t like being in a bad mood after a game, so I want to play the best I can and perform at the top of my ability whenever my family is around.”