The 2025-26 season is in the books and we turn our attention to the chase for the Kelly Cup! The tournament starts with 2 series kicking off on Thursday, and the remainder of the teams starting their divisional series on Friday. Each series is a best-of-7 series, played in either a 2-3-2 or 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the better finishing team hosting the first home games. Let’s take a look at each matchup!

Western Conference

Mountain Division:

Kansas City Mavericks (1) vs Tahoe Knight Monsters (4)

The ECHL’s best overall team – The Kansas City Mavericks - start the quest for the Kelly Cup on Friday, hosting the Tahoe Knight Monsters. The Mavericks look to turn the page from last year’s effort, where they were eliminated in the conference finals after a strong year and first place finish in the division. Tahoe has qualified for the playoffs in both seasons they’ve played.

Game 1 – Friday, April 24 at 7:05 p.m. CT at Kansas City
Game 2 – Saturday, April 25 at 6:05 p.m. CT at Kansas City
Game 3 – Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. PT at Tahoe
Game 4 – Thursday, April 30 at 7 p.m. PT at Tahoe 
Game 5 – Saturday, May 2 at 7 p.m. PT at Tahoe (If Necessary)
Game 6 – Monday, May 4 at 7:05 p.m. CT at Kansas City (If Necessary)
Game 7 – Wednesday, May 6 at 7:05 p.m. CT at Kansas City (If Necessary)

Allen Americans (2) vs Idaho Steelheads (3)

Both the Allen Americans and Idaho Steelheads are looking to rebound from their efforts last season, which saw both teams miss out on the playoffs. Allen is led by Brayden Watts, who finished with the most assists on the season for the league, and second in scoring overall in the ECHL. Idaho reached the Kelly Cup finals in 2023 and looks to get back to their winning springtime form. 

Game 1 – Thursday, April 23 at 7:10 p.m. CT at Allen
Game 2 – Friday, April 24 at 7:10 p.m. CT at Allen
Game 3 – Sunday, April 26 at 4:10 p.m. MT at Idaho
Game 4 – Monday, April 27 at 7:10 p.m. MT at Idaho
Game 5 – Tuesday, April 28 at 7:10 p.m. MT at Idaho (If Necessary)
Game 6 – Saturday, May 2 at 7:10 p.m. CT at Allen (If Necessary)
Game 7 – Sunday, May 3 at 4:10 p.m. CT at Allen (If Necessary)

Central Division:

Fort Wayne Komets (1) vs Indy Fuel (4)

The Komets clinched the Central Division on the last day of the season, defeating Kalamazoo 4-3 after a late 3^rd period goal to take the lead. Kalamazoo’s result also impacted the rest of the division – a win would have put them in the playoffs and eliminated Indy! With Fort Wayne’s win, the K-Wings will sit out of the playoffs. Indy’s roster includes Collegeville, PA native Tyler Paquette, who finished the season with 22 points (8g, 14a).

Game 1 – Friday, April 24 at 7:35 p.m. ET at Fort Wayne
Game 2 – Saturday, April 25 at 7:35 p.m. ET at Fort Wayne
Game 3 – Tuesday, April 28 at 7:05 p.m. ET at Indy
Game 4 – Wednesday, April 29 at 7:05 p.m. ET at Indy
Game 5 – Sunday, May 3 at 5:05 p.m. ET at Fort Wayne (If Necessary) 
Game 6 – Tuesday, May 5 at 7:05 p.m. ET at Indy (If Necessary)
Game 7 – Wednesday, May 6 at 7:35 p.m. ET at Fort Wayne (If Necessary)

Toledo Walleye (2) vs Bloomington Bison (3)

In their second season, Bloomington has qualified for their first playoffs after qualifies for their first playoff series! The NYR affiliated Bison finished with 79 points – same as Indy – to ensure their berth in the playoffs. Toledo continued their presence in the ECHL, securing their spot in the playoffs led by Brandon Hawkins – largely considered the best player in the ECHL. Hawkins finished with a league leading 78 points (35g, 43a). The Walleye have made the Kelly Cup Final 3 times in the last 5 seasons – minus the Covid-cancelled 2020 playoffs. 

Game 1 – Thursday, April 23 at 7:15 p.m. ET at Toledo
Game 2 – Saturday, April 25 at 7:15 p.m. ET at Toledo
Game 3 – Monday, April 27 at 7 p.m. CT at Bloomington 
Game 4 – Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. CT at Bloomington
Game 5 – Thursday, April 30 at 7 p.m. CT at Bloomington (If Necessary)
Game 6 – Sunday, May 3 at 5:15 p.m. ET at Toledo (If Necessary)
Game 7 – Tuesday, May 5 at 7:15 p.m. ET at Toledo (If Necessary)

South Division:

Florida Everblades (1) vs Savannah Ghost Pirates (4)

The Everblades, whom the Trenton Titans defeated for the 2005 Kelly Cup, are one of the most successful franchises in the ECHL – winning 3 championships in the last 4 years. After losing in the conference finals last season, Florida looks to regain form for another run. They’ll face the Savannah Ghost Pirates, who clinched their first playoff berth in their 4-year history! They’re coached by Jared Staal, of the Staal family legacy (Eric, Mark, Jordan). 

Game 1 – Friday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Florida
Game 2 – Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m. ET at Florida
Game 3 – Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. ET at Savannah
Game 4 – Friday, May 1 at 7 p.m. ET at Savannah
Game 5 – Saturday, May 2 at 7 p.m. ET at Savannah (If Necessary)
Game 6 – Monday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Florida (If Necessary)
Game 7 – Tuesday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Florida (If Necessary)

South Carolina Stingrays (2) vs Atlanta Gladiators (3)

Just 2 points separated these teams in the final standings, with the Stingrays bettering the Glads for home ice advantage in their first round matchup. In his first year as coach of the team, Jared Warsofsky has the Stingrays in the playoffs, where they look to get back to the Kelly Cup Final – which they reached in the 2021 edition. Simon Pinard led South Carolina with 73 points – good for 3^rd overall in the ECHL this season! Atlanta clinched their first playoff berth in 4 seasons – Alex Young was their leading scorer with 59 pts (27g, 32a).

Game 1 – Friday, April 24 at 7:05 p.m. ET at South Carolina
Game 2 – Saturday, April 25 at 6:05 p.m. ET at South Carolina
Game 3 – Monday, April 27 at 7:10 p.m. ET at Atlanta
Game 4 – Tuesday, April 28 at 7:10 p.m. ET at Atlanta
Game 5 – Friday, May 1 at 7:05 p.m. ET at South Carolina (If Necessary)
Game 6 – Monday, May 4 at 7:10 p.m. ET at Atlanta (If Necessary)
Game 7 – Tuesday, May 5 at 7:05 p.m. ET at South Carolina (If Necessary)

North Division

Wheeling Nailers (1) vs Reading Royals (4) 

We wrap up our look at the Kelly Cup Playoffs in the division our IRONHAWKS will play in next season. The Wheeling Nailers secured the North Division behind 98 points (46-29-3-3) and look to improve over their outcomes in the last 2 seasons, with second and first round eliminations respectively. Reading is lead by Head Coach Anthony Peters, who in his first year has the Royals in the playoffs, where they’ll try to build on their first round exit last season.

Game 1 – Friday, April 24 at 7:10 p.m. ET at Wheeling
Game 2 – Saturday, April 25 at 7:10 p.m. ET at Wheeling 
Game 3 – Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. ET at Reading
Game 4 – Friday, May 1 at 7 p.m. ET at Reading
Game 5 – Saturday, May 2 at 7 p.m. ET at Reading (If Necessary) 
Game 6 – Monday, May 4 at 7:10 p.m. ET at Wheeling (If Necessary)
Game 7 – Wednesday, May 6 at 7:10 p.m. ET at Wheeling (If Necessary)

Maine Mariners (2) vs Adirondack Thunder (3)

Former Trenton Titans player & coach Rick Kowalsky leads the Mariners back into the playoffs after missing out last season. Since the first season for Maine in 2019, they’ve qualified for the Kelly Cup playoffs only 3 times, but haven’t advanced past the first round. The Thunder are lead by ECHL Top 10 scorer Brandon McManus, who finished with 67pts (31g, 36a), good for 7^th overall.

Game 1 – Friday, April 24 at 6 p.m. ET at Maine 
Game 2 – Saturday, April 25 at 6 p.m. ET at Maine
Game 3 – Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. ET at Adirondack
Game 4 – Friday, May 1 at 7 p.m. ET at Adirondack
Game 5 – Saturday, May 2 at 7 p.m. ET at Adirondack (If Necessary) 
Game 6 – Tuesday, May 5 at 7 p.m. ET at Maine (If Necessary)
Game 7 – Wednesday, May 6 at 7 p.m. ET at Maine (If Necessary)

Follow all of the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoff Action on FloSports, and keep up to date with scores, series results and more at ECHL.com!