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Wednesday, 17.04.2024, 23:03
Gudlevskis makes his NHL debut in win
On Friday, promising Latvian goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis made his NHL debut, helping his Tampa Bay ''Lightning'' defeat the Columbus ''Blue Jackets'' 3:2, informs LETA.
Gudlevskis saved 36 out of 38 shots on goal and was named his team's most valuable player of the game.
Furthermore, Gudlevskis has also become the first player in history to play in the East Coast Hockey League, American Hockey League (AHL), NHL and Olympics in one season.
The young Latvian was called up to the ''Lightning'' from the AHL after the team's first-string goalie Ben Bishop suffered an injury. Gudlevskis is expected to be the team's second-string goalie when the ''Lightning'' begin their NHL playoff campaign this week.
The ''Lightning'' have qualified for the NHL playoffs and will play to Montreal ''Canadiens'' in the first-round, which will kick-off this week.
The ''Lightning'' will conclude the regular season on Sunday at the Washington ''Capitals''.
The 21-year-old Gudlevskis has become only the third Latvian goaltender to play in the NHL, after Arturs Irbe and Peteris Skudra.