NEW YORK (AP) — Matt Tomkins’ hockey journey started in the Edmonton suburb of Sherwood Park.
asserted
journey → start → Park
Along the way, he tended goal at Ohio State, played for teams such as the Indy Fuel and Rockford IceHogs in the minors, and Frolunda and Farjestads BK in Sweden, and became Canada’s starter at the 2022 Olympics in the Beijing bubble when the NHL pulled out at the last minute.
asserted
NHL → tend → minute
“It’s been a long road, for sure,” Tomkins said.
asserted
Tomkins → say → ?
“It’s taken me a lot of different places.”
asserted
It → take → places
He finally debuted in the top league in the world in 2023, a few months after turning 29.
asserted
He → debut → 29
Now 32, he is back with his hometown Oilers and Sunday was spectacular in backstopping them to an 11th win in 15 games to start the season.
asserted
Sunday → backstoppe → season
Making his first start since April 17, 2024 and seventh in the NHL, Tomkins was the first star of the game for stopping 27 of the 28 shots he faced and beating the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
asserted
he → make → Garden
“He was awesome for us,” said captain Connor McDavid.
asserted
McDavid → say → us
“He just gave us a chance to win.
asserted
He → give → chance
He was just solid, honestly: made the saves he needed to and gave us a chance.”
asserted
he → make → chance
Tomkins wasn’t sure he’d get this chance again, let alone for the team he grew up cheering for.
asserted
he → get → team
During the 928 days since he started for the Tampa Bay Lightning in their 2023-24 regular-season finale, he’d played in 74 games in the AHL for the Syracuse Crunch and Bakersfield Condors.
asserted
he → start → Crunch
“The human element, there’s maybe a little bit of doubt,” Tomkins said.
asserted
Tomkins → ’ → doubt
There’s only 64 jobs at any given time and incredible goalies all over the world are fighting for them every single day.”
asserted
goalies → ’ → them
It took injuries to fellow goalies Devon Levi and Frederik Andersen, plus the scheduling of games on back-to-back days this weekend to get Tomkins this opportunity.
asserted
It → take → opportunity
Taking advantage of it brought joy to not only him but his teammates out of appreciation for what it has taken for Tomkins to reach this point.
asserted
Tomkins → take → point
“So nice,” McDavid said.
asserted
McDavid → say → ?
“He’s a great dude, an unbelievable dude.
asserted
He → ’ → ?
He worked so hard this summer in Edmonton and just so happy for him.
asserted
He → work → him
Obviously, it’s a cool place — a cool place to play, a special building.
asserted
it → ’ → ?
I’m happy for him.”
asserted
I → ’m → him
With Tristan Jarry coming off back-to-back shutouts and Levi and Andersen working their way back to being available, this may be Tomkins’ only chance in his latest call-up.
uncertain
this → come → up
With the spotlight shining on him, he took full advantage.
asserted
he → shin → advantage
“It’s been a couple of years since I’ve played in the league, so definitely excited to get the nod,” Tomkins said.
asserted
Tomkins → play → nod
“Just tried to enjoy the day and take it all in and do my part to contribute and help the team win.”
asserted
team → try → part
Tomkins has had a lot of teams over the years at the junior level, in college and in the ECHL and AHL.
asserted
Tomkins → have → ECHL
He’s not complaining one bit about those bus rides and pit stops along the way after authoring a memorable performance in a place known as the world’s most famous arena.
asserted
He → complain → arena
“It’s been tough, but it’s been enjoyable at the same time,” Tomkins said.
asserted
Tomkins → say → time
“I love to play, and my career has taken me all over the world, and I’ve enjoyed every step.
asserted
I → love → step
“Obviously, to end up here today and growing up in Edmonton, being an Oilers fan, and to have this opportunity, it’s just been an incredible and really fun journey.”
asserted
it → end → opportunity
The Aporia
