Minnesota Wild forward Michael McCarron criticizes Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson following heated NHL Game 4 incident

Game 4 between the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche took a quick turn to controversy as Michael McCarron and Josh Manson were involved in some heated verbal exchanges. Tangled with McCarron on the ice, Manson seemed to attempt a dangerous butt-end move, and NHL officials reviewed the play.

The controversial moment became one of the biggest NHL news roundup topics from Monday night’s playoff action. Michael McCarron bumped into Josh Manson during an in-game interview, and the Minnesota Wild cashed in on the ensuing power play.

Michael McCarron criticizes Josh Manson after heated NHL Game 4 sequence

Michael McCarron took a shot at Josh Manson after officials reviewed a controversial play in the first period of Game 4 between the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche.

The sequence started after Michael McCarron delivered a heavy hit to Josh Manson, who returned to Colorado’s lineup after an injury absence earlier in the series. Both players went down on the ice, and replays seemed to show Josh Manson driving the butt-end of his stick at McCarron in the scramble.

Initially, the officials let the play continue before gathering for a lengthy review. The NHL rules require a double minor penalty for the attempted butt-end, and a major penalty, with the potential for a game misconduct, for any direct contact. Referees ruled after video review that Josh Manson attempted to but did not make significant contact.

The Minnesota Wild took quick advantage of the extended power play. Rookie forward Danila Yurov scored on the opportunity to give Minnesota a 1-0 lead entering intermission and energized the home crowd in the important NHL match preview showdown.

Michael McCarron was visibly frustrated after the sequence and did not hold back in an in-game interview. The incident immediately became a talking point in every NHL update and playoff discussion, as Josh Manson had just returned from injury.

The Colorado Avalanche-Minnesota Wild series has been marked by heavy hits, aggressive forechecking and growing hostility over the course of several games.