Two Habs Find Trouble in Tampa

Pair should play Tuesday and won't face wrath of Canadiens' brass
By Mike Buss,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 11, 2008 10:18 PM CST
Two Habs Find Trouble in Tampa
Montreal Canadiens' Ryan O'Byrne works out during practice Monday, Feb. 11, 2008 in Tampa, Fla. Police say O'Byrne has been accused of stealing a woman's purse and Canadiens' Tom Kostopoulos has been charged with resisting an officer outside a Tampa nightclub. (AP Photo/J. Meric)   (Associated Press)

Two Montreal Canadiens players, Ryan O' Byrne and Tom Kostopoulos, were arrested this morning outside a Tampa club and later released on bail, reports the AP. Montreal's players were out during the equivalent of a rookie hazing night when O'Byrne was accused of stealing a woman's purse, and Kostopoulos was detained for interfering with Tampa police after being instructed to back off.

Montreal's GM, Bob Gainey, said the team would let the legal system run its course and not further punish the pair. For O'Byrne, who faces a felony charge for the alleged theft, a conviction would cloud his future in the NHL ,as he could be prevented from traveling in the United States. Both are expected to play Tuesday. (More hockey stories.)

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