Michael McCarron calls Josh Manson 'dirty player' after Wild's Game 4 loss to Avalanche
Michael McCarron calls Josh Manson 'dirty player' in Game 4 loss
Minnesota Wild center Michael McCarron called Josh Manson of the Colorado Avalanche a dirty player after Game 4 Monday night. Manson was assessed a four-minute double minor in the first period after hitting McCarron with the butt end of his stick. McCarron, Jesper Wallstedt, Matt Boldy and Nico Sturm spoke from the locker room after Monday's loss. The Wild trails the best-of-seven series 3-1, and they face elimination at Denver Wednesday night.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Wild faces elimination from the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Denver Wednesday night after a 5-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals Monday night at Grand Casino Arena.
Colorado takes a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series as it heads back to Denver, and can advance with a win in Game 6. The Wild needs to win the next two to force a Game 7 in Colorado.
"The style of game we needed to play to win the game, we made the conscious choice not to play that way tonight. We’ll re-address that and get ready for Game 5," Wild coach John Hynes said after the loss.
Wild lose Game 4 to Avalanche 5-2, face elimination Wednesday night
Minnesota Wild coach John Hynes speaks with reporters after a 5-2 loss in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals Monday night at Grand Casino Arena. The Wild trails the best-of-seven series 3-1, and faces elimination Wednesday night in Denver.
Michael McCarron: Josh Manson ‘is a dirty player, always has been’
The Minnesota Wild took a 1-0 lead with a first period goal on a four-minute double-minor power play. The Wild felt it should've been a five-minute major.
Wild center Michael McCarron delivered a big hit to Josh Manson of the Avalanche. It took both of them to the ice, and Manson took the butt-end of his stick, and hit McCarron in the face. The play was reviewed, and Manson was given a double-minor. Had it been a major, the Wild had a five-minute power play regardless of how many goals they would've scored, and Manson would've been assessed a game misconduct.
McCarron didn't hold back on Manson in the locker room after the loss.
"I blew him up and he grabs me and pulls me on top of him. He’s a dirty player. He took his butt end and clearly butt-ended me in the face. I don’t know how that’s not a five-minute," McCarron said. "The rule book says it’s a five-minute if you butt-end someone in the face. He’s a dirty player, he’s always been, not very well-respected."
Avalanche win Game 4, 5-2
The Wild and Avalanche were tied 1-1 after two periods Monday night, but Colorado scored four third-period goals to get the win. The Avalanche got the game-winner from Parker Kelly at the 11:32 mark of the third period, which gave Colorado a 3-2 lead. The Avalanche put the game on ice with empty-net goals from Nathan MacKinnon, who took a puck to the face in the second period, and Brock Nelson, 25 seconds apart in the final minute of regulation.
The Avalanche took a 2-1 lead early in the third period on Ross Colton’s first goal of the playoffs. He got a perfect feed from Nicolas Roy, and Jesper Wallstedt couldn’t get to the other side of the crease in time. Colorado took the lead at the 6:56 mark.
It lasted less than three minutes. The Wild got the game tied 2-2 as Quinn Hughes hit Nico Sturm with a perfect feed to beat Mackenzie Blackwood at 9:15 of the third period. It was Sturm’s first goal of the playoffs.
2nd period: Avalanche ties game with power play goal
Colorado scored a power-play goal to tie the game 1-1 at the 6:08 mark of the second period. Yakov Trenin got a penalty for closing his hand on the puck.
Just six seconds into the man advantage, Nazem Kadri got the tying goal for the Avalanche.
Colorado lost Nathan MacKinnon, one of the best players in the NHL, late in the second period after he took a puck to his face as the Avalanche was trying to clear a puck. He came off the ice bloodied, and did not return. If he doesn't play in the third period, it would be a big loss for the Avalanche.
Danila Yurov gives Wild 1-0 lead after 1
The Wild got the first goal of Game 4, nearly halfway through the first period. Danila Yurov scored a power play goal at the 9:46 mark, tipping a Brock Faber shot in to give the Wild a 1-0 lead.
The Wild was on a four-minute power play after Josh Manson got a double-minor. Michael McCarron delivered a hard check that brought them both to the ice, and Manson retaliated by hitting him in the mouth with the butt end of his stick. The play was reviewed for a five-minute major and game misconduct, but the ruling was a double minor.
McCarron spoke with the ESPN broadcast during the intermission.
"He’s a dirty player. Always has been," McCarron said. "I’m surprised he only got a double-minor, I’m happy to still be in the game."
Wild injury updates
What we know:
The Wild will again be without Joel Eriksson Ek and Jonas Brodin. Both have lower body injuries, and Ek has yet to play in this series.
What we don't know:
Hynes hasn't said when either Ek or Brodin could return to game action.
Wild dominates Game 3 in 5-1 victory
Why you should care:
Staring at an 0-2 deficit on Saturday, the Wild dominated from the opening puck drop in a 5-1 win over the Avalanche in Game 3. Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes got first period goals. Matt Boldy got an empty-net goal to seal it, and the Wild rode a big night from goaltender Jesper Wallstedt.