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<\/p>\n\u201cHe was awesome for us,\u201d said captain Connor McDavid. \u201cHe just gave us a chance to win. \u2026 He was just solid, honestly: made the saves he needed to and gave us a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Tomkins wasn\u2019t sure he\u2019d get this chance again, let alone for the team he grew up cheering for. During the 928 days since he started for the Tampa Bay Lightning in their 2023-24 regular-season finale, he\u2019d played in 74 games in the AHL for the Syracuse Crunch and Bakersfield Condors.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe human element, there\u2019s maybe a little bit of doubt,\u201d Tomkins said. \u201cNot from your ability, but just the opportunity. There\u2019s only 64 jobs at any given time and incredible goalies all over the world are fighting for them every single day.\u201d<\/p>\n
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. 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo nice,\u201d McDavid said. \u201cHe\u2019s a great dude, an unbelievable dude. He worked so hard this summer in Edmonton and just so happy for him. Obviously, it\u2019s a cool place \u2014 a cool place to play, a special building. Really cool. I\u2019m happy for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
With Tristan Jarry coming off back-to-back shutouts and Levi and Andersen working their way back to being available, this may be Tomkins\u2019 only chance in his latest call-up. With the spotlight shining on him, he took full advantage.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a couple of years since I\u2019ve played in the league, so definitely excited to get the nod,\u201d Tomkins said. \u201cJust tried to enjoy the day and take it all in and do my part to contribute and help the team win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tomkins has had a lot of teams over the years at the junior level, in college and in the ECHL and AHL. He\u2019s 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\u2019s most famous arena.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been tough, but it\u2019s been enjoyable at the same time,\u201d Tomkins said. \u201cI love to play, and my career has taken me all over the world, and I\u2019ve enjoyed every step.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, to end up here today and growing up in Edmonton, being an Oilers fan, and to have this opportunity, it\u2019s just been an incredible and really fun journey.\u201d<\/p>\n
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