TAMPA — Lightning fans came to Amalie Arena to cheer, wanting to celebrate another home victory, one which would put them one win away from their second-ever Stanley Cup final.
But they also wanted to boo, taking the only available avenue to show Martin St. Louis how they felt after he requested to be traded out of Tampa, following 13 seasons with the Lightning.
They had their reasons to boo, but few opportunities, with St. Louis struggling to be noticed on the ice, a former superstar aging in front of his former fans’ eyes.
Friday night, in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final, the 39-year-old took a quick ride back in time and gave Lightning fans just another reason to hate the man they used to love, following his game-sealing, third period power play goal in the Rangers’ 5-1 victory.