Cocaine's a Helluva Drug: Lightning's Ryan Malone Busted at 3:23 a.m.

Nothing good happens past 3 a.m.

Hillsborough County, Florida police arrested Tampa Bay Lightning left-winger Ryan Malone this morning at 3:23 on charges of driving under the influence. He allegedly hit a curb, or maybe the curb hit his car–it really probably depends on who you talk to–while making a left turn. The killjoy cops also busted him for possession of cocaine–a performance-enhancing drug if you party for a living; a performance-inhibiting drug if you play hockey for a living. The cops booked Malone at 5:40 a.m. and let him go on $2,000 bail for the coke charge and $500 for the DUI. The arrest report shows that Malone made bail at 9:56 a.m., avoiding a day in the penalty box.

The 10-year NHL veteran has 10 assists to five goals this season. Five seasons ago he boasted goals and assists triple his current amount. Age? Or, booze, lines, and 3:23 a.m.?

“We are aware of the situation concerning Ryan Malone this morning,” Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman, whose Red Wings teammate Bob Probert once got the boot from the NHL for importing a half-ounce of cocaine into the U.S., said in a reaction statement. “Ryan will not travel with the team to Washington today, but beyond that we cannot comment further at this time.”