MacKinnon thinks Duhaime should be suspended for hit on Byram

Last night’s battle between the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche didn’t send sparks through the hockey world by their offensive prowess, but it was a post-whistle skirmish that caused some ripples after the game.

During the final frame, Wild forward Brandon Duhaime went hard into the boards and cross-checked the hell out of young blueliner Bowen Byram, sending him face-first into the barrier. It was simply a very bad and dangerous play — so Duhaime received a five-minute major penalty. But Avs star Nathan MacKinnon wants more.

“I thought that that was a very dirty play. I think he should get suspended,” he said following the Avalanche’s 4-1 victory on Saturday, according to The Athletic’s Peter Baugh.

MacKinnon was clearly heated on the ice as well, as after the hit, he then dropped the gloves with Duhaime for a brief throw of punches.

According to Michael Russo, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety will not be taking any further action against the 24-year-old Wild winger, certainly deeming the in-game penalty as enough punishment for putting Byram in a very unfortunate position.

The two clubs will face one another again on Jan. 17, so they don’t have to wait too long to revisit the heated rivalry.