“HORRIBLE”: Furious NHL fans accuse ESPN of sabotaging Avalanche vs. Stars Game 7 with baffling announcer choice

Game 7 of the NHL first-round playoffs between the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars should be a moment of pure anticipation and adrenaline for fans. Yet, a large section of the hockey community is frustrated—not over the teams or players—but because of ESPN’s decision on who will call the game. The network’s choice to assign Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, and Emily Kaplan to the booth for Saturday night’s clash at the American Airlines Center hasn’t gone down well, especially among Avalanche faithful.

Sean McDonough, a veteran broadcaster, is no stranger to high-profile events. However, his recent absence from NHL coverage due to ongoing health issues, paired with sporadic appearances throughout the regular season, has made his return less than welcome for some fans. Many are wondering why ESPN would bench Bob Wischusen—who called three of the six games in this intense series and has been praised for his energetic and insightful coverage.
“His is horrible man bob has basically done every game and has done it amazing. Sean has been like always HORRIBLE and for some reason he is the main guy. im tired of complaining,” one disgruntled fan posted on Twitter capturing the broader sentiment. Another simply called ESPN’s move a “joke,” insisting, “What a joke. The only guy who should be calling that game is @espnbob.”

What makes the situation even more baffling to some is the context: The Avalanche’s return to broader TV visibility this season following Comcast’s deal with Altitude TV had many fans excited to watch their team more easily. Now, with ESPN handing the mic to someone who hasn’t been as engaged in the series, viewers feel let down.
ESPN did assign a capable studio crew—Steve Levy, P.K. Subban, and Mark Messier—for intermission coverage, which adds credibility. But the absence of Wischusen in the main commentary booth has overshadowed that. “We want Bob Wischusen!!!” one fan exclaimed, summing up the prevailing opinion online.
Also Read: It wasn’t funny for Dallas Stars: Oettinger reacts to Avalanche’s lucky goal in Game 6
This isn’t the first time ESPN has faced criticism from the NHL community, but with the stakes this high, the backlash is louder than ever. NHL fans aren’t just watching a game—they’re experiencing a story unfold, and they want the right narrator.