Marty’s game-winning milestone

TULSA, Okla. – It was a historic night at the BOK Center on Tuesday as the Tulsa Oilers posted a 4-2 win over the defending CHL champion Rapid City Rush. Veteran center Marty Standish deked past a defender and let loose a shot that sailed over the shoulder of Rush goaltender Tim Boron in the third period. The goal, which proved to be the game-winner, was also one for the record books as it marked Standish’s 500th Central Hockey League point. It was also his fourth game-winner of the season, marking the most he’s seen in a season since registering five with the Oklahoma City Blazers during the 2005-06 campaign. Standish is the 24th player in CHL history to reach the 500-point milestone.

Marty Standish/Photo by Les Stockton

Marty Standish/Photo by Les Stockton

“It’s awesome, it’s always nice to get those once in a while, especially since I don’t get that many points anymore,” Standish said following the game. “To win the game is obviously more important and it was at a key time in the game, so we came up big.” Standish’s former Oklahoma City Blazers teammate and current Oilers teammate, Gordon Bell, expressed his excitement for the proven veteran.
“I can’t say enough about the guy, I’m really happy for him and I’m sure everybody around him and his teammates are happy for him too,” Bell said. “500 points in his career; he’s won a championship, he’s been a tremendous leader for any team that he’s been on and a huge spark plug for our team here in Tulsa,” Bell added. “Marty Standish is a true professional; he’s had an outstanding career. He’s been nothing but a great leader here for the Tulsa Oilers,” Oilers Head Coach Bruce Ramsay said. “For him to get 500 points and to do it the way he did with a game-winning goal was pretty spectacular and I felt really excited for him. He’s a class individual,” Ramsay added. Standish, a native of Kelvington, Saskatchewan, began his CHL career in 2000-01 when his 87 points (43 G, 44 A) helped lead the Oklahoma City Blazers to the Ray Miron President’s Cup Championship. He followed up that season with seven more solid seasons in Oklahoma City, where he got under the skin of opposing players and fans, especially in Tulsa. Now in his second season with the Oilers, he has become a fan favorite. “It’s been great for me, I can’t thank Rammer (Ramsay) enough for having me play for him,” Standish said. “He’s a great coach to play for and the city has adopted me and I’m still in Oklahoma where I belong. I married a girl from Oklahoma City, so that’s where we reside now…it’s real nice to be in Oklahoma.” Standish’s game-winner and his assist on John Mori’s empty net goal with just over a minute remaining ran his season point total to 28 (8 G, 20 A) in 46 games. While ranking seventh on his team in scoring, Standish has also contributed in other areas. “He’s still one of the best penalty killers in the Central Hockey League, which is showing in our penalty kill rating,” Ramsay said, while adding that his team seems to be peaking at the right time. The win marked their fifth in a row while improving to 30-22-2 and moving within one point of second place in the Berry Conference. “We were 3-11 at one time and we had one of the worst records in professional hockey, but since then we’ve gone 27-11,” Ramsay said. “We haven’t lost more than two in a row since we went on that streak so that’s a credit to the guys and the effort that they’re putting forth with all the call-ups and injuries that we’ve had. These guys care about each other. They want to win and It shows on the ice with their effort and the results that we’re getting.” On a night that Standish could easily spend celebrating his own efforts, he instead praised his teammates and coach. “We’re playing real well and we’re peaking at the right time; our team has really turned it around and it’s all thanks to our coaching,” he said. Contact author at john.hall@prohockeynews.com

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