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Latvia’s Gudlevskis remains with Tampa Bay

Sochi Olympics Ice Hockey Men

Latvia goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis blocks a shot by Canada during the second period of a men’s quarterfinal ice hockey game at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Mark Humphrey

Kristers Gudlevskis made a name for himself with Latvia in the 2014 Winter Olympics. Now it looks like the 21-year-old goaltender might also be on Tampa Bay’s roster when the NHL schedule resumes, according to the Lightning’s Missy Zielinski.

They need him as an insurance policy because backup netminder Anders Lindback hasn’t been cleared to play after sustaining an ankle injury.

Gudlevskis was taken in the fifth round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and has split the season between the ECHL and AHL, but he stopped a stunning 55 of 57 shots against the Canadians in the Olympic quarterfinals.

“Their goaltender played awesome,” Canada’s Carey Price said after the contest, per IIHF.com. “That was one of the best goaltending performances I’ve ever seen in a long time. He played a heck of a game.”

Tampa Bay is set to play in four games over six days starting on Thursday, so if Lindback doesn’t return soon, then Gudlevskis could make his NHL debut.

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