‘He’s a dirty player’: Wild’s Michael McCarron calls out Avalanche’s Josh Manson

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.

“He’s a dirty player,” McCarron said. “He took his butt end and clearly butt-ended me in the face,”

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 McCarron’s 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 game’s first goal on the ensuing power play. They felt that was not enough.

“I don’t know how it’s not a five-minute (major penalty),” McCarron said. “I think the rulebook says its a five minute if you butt end someone in the face. He’s a dirty player. He always has been. Not very well respected.”

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.

“That’s fine. If he wants to call me a dirty player he can just look at my history. It’s been 13 years and I haven’t been suspended yet,” he said. “I’m 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 wasn’t purposeful either. I served my time. They scored on it. Benefited them. That’s his perspective.”

In four playoff games, Manson has two assists and eight penalty minutes.

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