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NHL throwback: Controversial butt-end attempt sparks debate
12 May
Summary
- A controversial butt-end attempt occurred during a recent NHL game.
- The play involved Josh Manson and Michael McCarron, leading to a penalty review.
- An attempted butt-ending resulted in a double-minor penalty after review.
A play reminiscent of the 1990s NHL, where butt-ending was more common, occurred recently, bringing the controversial infraction back into focus. During a game, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson, in his return from injury, was involved in an incident with Minnesota Wild forward Michael McCarron.
Following a check by McCarron, Manson, on the ice, appeared to attempt a butt-end on McCarron's neck area. A butt-end, defined as using the shaft of the stick above the upper hand to check or jab an opponent, typically results in a major penalty and game misconduct.
Referees initiated a review, but after video analysis, they could not definitively confirm contact. Consequently, the penalty was downgraded from a major to a double minor for attempted butt-ending, a call supported by rules experts. This penalty contributed to the Wild taking a 1-0 lead after a subsequent goal.
The incident underscores how such aggressive stick infractions have become largely extinct in the modern NHL, making this occurrence a notable throwback.
