Josh Manson penalized — but not ejected — for butt-end jab at Michael McCarron in Wild-Avs Game 4

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Butt-ends were almost an epidemic in the NHL in the 1990s, but they’ve become largely extinct in today’s game.

On Monday night, we got a flashback. In Josh Manson’s return to the Colorado Avalanche’s lineup from injury, the veteran defenseman landed on the ice after Minnesota Wild forward Michael McCarron finished a check on him. Manson, who had a hold of McCarron’s head as they fell, then attempted to butt-end McCarron in the neck area.

A butt-end is an “action whereby a player uses the shaft of the stick, above the upper hand, to check an opposing player in any manner or jabs or attempts to jab an opposing player with this part of the stick.” If it’s called, it’s a mandatory major penalty and game misconduct.

McCarron got up fuming and contended to both refs that he was butt-ended. Referees Jean Hebert and Trevor Hanson called a major so they could review.

After a long video review, the referees apparently couldn’t confirm that Manson actually landed the butt-end. They downgraded the major to a double minor. Rule 58.2 in the NHL’s official rules states that “a double-minor penalty will be imposed on a player who attempts to butt-end an opponent.”

In a text to The Athletic, former NHL referee and ESPN rules analyst Dave Jackson said, “There is a double minor for attempted butt-ending. If they cannot determine absolutely that the stick hit him but the attempt was made, then the double minor is the proper call.”

The Wild didn’t generate much on the first power play, but on the back half of the double minor, rookie Danila Yurov redirected Brock Faber’s shot for his first career playoff goal. The Wild carried that 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

Speaking on ESPN at the break, McCarron was asked about the play.

“He’s a dirty player,” he said. “Always has been.”