
Wild's Michael McCarron accused Avalanche's Josh Manson of being a 'dirty player' after Manson struck him in the face with the butt end of his stick. Manson received a four-minute double minor penalty for the incident during Monday's game.
Using the butt end of a hockey stick to strike an opponent has long been considered one of the dirtier and more dangerous plays in hockey.
When Wild forward Michael McCarron took a butt end to the face from Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson on Monday, he did not shy away from offering an opinion on the play. Or the player.
âHeâs a dirty player,â McCarron said. âHe took his butt end and clearly butt-ended me in the face,â
The play happened in the first period on the side boards to the left of Colorado goalie Mackenzie Blackwood. McCarron delivered a hard hit on Manson, who was back in action for the Avalanche after missing the previous four games due to injury. McCarron landed on top of Manson, there was some clutching and grabbing, and then replays showed that Manson made contact with McCarronâs face with the end of his stick.
When officials separated the pair, McCarron needed to be restrained as he tried to go after Manson as the defenseman headed to the Colorado bench. After a lengthy video review, Manson was given a four-minute double minor penalty, rather than a five-minute major penalty.
The Wild got the gameâs first goal on the ensuing power play. They felt that was not enough.
âI donât know how itâs not a five-minute (major penalty),â McCarron said. âI think the rulebook says its a five minute if you butt end someone in the face. Heâs a dirty player. He always has been. Not very well respected.â
Wild coach John Hynes said he did not ask for an explanation of why Manson was not given a major penalty and ejected. Manson, for his part, defended his career and reputation after the game.
âThatâs fine. If he wants to call me a dirty player he can just look at my history. Itâs been 13 years and I havenât been suspended yet,â he said. âIâm not that dirty. I think there are other guys in the league that are doing more. Was that the cleanest play? No. Was it purposeful? No. It wasnât purposeful either. I served my time. They scored on it. Benefited them. Thatâs his perspective.â
In four playoff games, Manson has two assists and eight penalty minutes.
Michael McCarron called Josh Manson a 'dirty player' after Manson struck him in the face with the butt end of his stick.
Josh Manson was given a four-minute double minor penalty following the incident with Michael McCarron.
The confrontation occurred after McCarron delivered a hard hit on Manson, who then retaliated by butt-ending McCarron in the face.
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