Stamkos motivated by hometown Toronto boos

Toronto Maple Leafs supporters were hurting a bit more than usual Tuesday night. They let Steven Stamkos, born just north of the city, know about it.

The Lightning captain returned home for his first game since re-upping on a long-term contract with Tampa Bay, spurning Toronto in free agency, and for the first time he was booed by folks in his hometown.

No matter, though. It only made Stamkos better. He scored twice and added two helpers in a 7-3 whipping of the Maple Leafs.

"It motivates you a little bit when you hear that stuff," Stamkos said, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Joe Smith.

It took 80 seconds for Stamkos to shut the crowd up. He had two goals by the end of the first period.

"I don't know if you expect that," Stamkos said of scoring early, "it couldn't have happened any better. You feel more confident when it happens."

Lightning head coach Jon Cooper acknowledged that Stamkos' decision about his future over the summer was tough, but he's obviously happy with how things have turned out.

"I think Stammer is a great son to Toronto," Cooper said.

Maple Leafs fans would not-so-respectfully disagree. For now, at least.