ST. Paul, Minn. — Minnesota Wild forward Michael McCarron called Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson a “dirty player” during a first intermission interview Monday night with ESPN.
Manson was assessed a double minor for butt-ending after getting tangled up with McCarron along the boards during the first period of Game 4 in this best-of-seven second-round series. McCarron hit Manson, and they fell to the ice and began wrestling with each other. McCarron rolled off Manson and appeared to be writhing on the ice as play stopped.
The officials did not call a penalty while the puck was in play, but huddled and reviewed a potential major penalty.
“You played against Josh. He’s a dirty player,” McCarron said to ESPN’s P.K. Subban during a first intermission interview. “He’s always been. Surprised he got away with only a four-minute (penalty). I’m happy he’s still in the game.”
Manson was given a double minor, not a major and a game misconduct. ESPN rules analyst Dave Jackson said a double minor can be assessed for an attempted butt end if there isn’t clear video evidence that the stick hit its intended target.
Minnesota scored in the second half of the double minor, the lone goal of the first period. This was Manson’s first game back after missing the past four with an injury.
