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TAMPA, Fla. -- Loyalty, respect and the potential to win for years to come kept Steven Stamkos in Tampa Bay.Stamkos, the Lightning captain and a two-time NHL scoring champion, said Thursday that he followed his heart in re-signing with the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2008, rather than testing free agency, where he probably would have commanded much more than the $68 million hes due to earn over the next eight seasons.Some people, when theyre in this position, chase, obviously, the most money possible, Stamkos said during a conference call.For me, I realize the situation and understood that there could have been some money left out there. But for me, thats not what its all about. Its about going to an organization that I was comfortable with and something that gave me the best chance to win, in my mind.It was a very tough decision. It truly was. I cant sit here and say this past week has been fun. ... It was pretty stressful, to be honest. Im glad its over with.A person with direct knowledge of how the contract is structured said Stamkos will make $9.5 million in each of the first five years of the deal, then $7.5 million in 2021-22 and $6.5 million in both 2022-23 and 2023-24. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because those details have not been revealed.Stamkos, who helped the Lightning reach the Eastern Conference final three times in eight seasons, cited his relationship with owner Jeff Vinik, his respect for general manager Steve Yzerman and the coaching staff, and a talented nucleus of players built to win for years as significant factors in his decision.Tampa Bay lost to Chicago in the Stanley Cup finals in 2015, then made it back to the Eastern Conference finals this year and fell to Pittsburgh in seven games.Stamkos is the teams biggest star but hardly a one-man show on a roster featuring defenseman Victor Hedman, young forwards Nikita Kucherov, Tyler Johnson and Alex Killorn, and goalie Ben Bishop.My intention all along was to hopefully work something out with Tampa, Stamkos said. Its been a great eight years that Ive been here. ... This team is on the verge of hopefully competing for Stanley Cups for years to come. With me being a captain and being the leader of that team, I felt kind of in my heart that was always the place I wanted to stay.Stamkos has won the Maurice Richard Trophy as the NHLs top scorer twice, including in 2011-12, when he had a career-best 60. He has had 40-plus goals in a season four times and had a shot to reach the mark again this year before he was sidelined in April by surgery to treat a blood clot near his right collarbone.The injury kept him out of the lineup until Tampa Bays 2-1 loss to the Penguins in Game 7 of the East final.Yzerman announced the deal Wednesday night and said he believes Stamkos, 26, is entering the prime of his career and his best years are ahead of him.Stamkos willingness to accept less money than he wouldve been offered by potential suitors in free agency provides the Lightning some flexibility in trying to keep the teams core intact in coming seasons.Were trying to put as competitive a team on the ice [as possible], and we asked Stammer, will you work us on this? This is what were trying to do. Were trying to be the best team we possibly can be, Yzerman said.Stamkos hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, the Buffalo Sabres and the?Detroit Red Wings were among the teams expected to make a run at the Tampa Bay captain if he had become an unrestricted free agent.I think Tampa gives me the best chance to win and be successful moving forward, Stamkos said.Obviously, being there the past eight years and knowing what to expect, knowing what we have going forward with the core group of guys we have plays into the decision. And for me, it was just following your heart and being loyal to an organization that has brought me up and made me the player and the person I am today.Stamkos, who has 312 goals, agreed with Yzermans assessment that he has yet to peak as player.A lot of people are going to base your performance on statistics and goals and points, but I can say 100 percent that Im a better player in all areas than I was when I first entered the league, Stamkos said. 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Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and three points behind its title rivals.INDIANAPOLIS -- Ron Patterson scored 17 points and made 5 of 9 3-point attempts, Kellon Thomas added 14 points and six assists, and IUPUI beat Eastern Michigan 83-71 in the championship game of the 2K Classic Indianapolis subregional on Saturday.Matt OLeary scored 11 points and his jumper at 5:52 in the first half tied it at 20 and sparked a 17-0 run the Jaguars used to build a 36-22 halftime lead.Aaron Brennan scored 13 points and his layup with 7:12 left to play put the Jaguars (2-2) up 66-44 andd they led by double digits the rest of the way.ddddddddddddEvan Hall scored 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, including five offensive boards, for IUPUI. The Jaguars made 10 of 20 3-pointers and held the Eagles (2-3) to 37 percent shooting from the floor (25 of 68).Ray Lee led the Eagles with 20 points on 5-of-15 shooting and James Thomson IV added 14 with 11 rebounds. ' ' '