NEW YORK — It’s a loooong way from the Indiana Farmers Coliseum to Madison Square Garden.

But on a Sunday night in Manhattan, after a career spent schlepping from Indianapolis, to Rockford, to Gothenburg, to Karlstad, to Tampa, to Syracuse and on to Bakersfield, Matt Tomkins walked out into the New York night with his fifth National Hockey League win, a 4-1 decision over the New York Rangers in his first start as an Edmonton Oiler.

“It's been a long road, for sure,” said the 32-year-old journeyman, who cashed in his first NHL start since April of 2024. “It's been tough, but it's been enjoyable at the same time. I love to play, my career has taken me all over the world, and I've enjoyed every step.”

The Indiana Farmers Coliseum was home to the Indy Fuel of the ECHL, Matt Tomkins’ first pro goalie gig back in 2017. Yes, Wayne Gretzky’s pro career began in Indianapolis, but the similarities end right there.

And, of course, MSG is known as the World’s Most Famous Arena, where Tomkins stepped between the pipes for the team he grew up cheering for, beating the New York Rangers 4-1 on yet another dazzling night for Connor McDavid.

We’ll get to McDavid in due time. But this night belonged a kid who grew up hoping to play for the Junior A Sherwood Park Crusaders, and ended up as the first star on America’s biggest hockey stage, an arena that has housed everything from........

© Sportsnet