The 2026 Kelly Cup Playoffs are underway, with each series playing at least 2 games, and a Mountain Division team already clinching their series. 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 get you updated on each series!

Western Conference

Mountain Division:

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

Kansas City – the league’s Brabham Cup winner with the most points in season – has started their series against Tahoe in convincing fashion, taking games 1 and 2 in KC – allowing just one goal per game. The series shifts back to Tahoe for games 3, 4, and 5 (if necessary). 

Game 1 – Tahoe 1 – 4 Kansas City
Game 2 – Tahoe 1 – 2 Kansas City (OT)
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)

The Americans are the first team to clinch a first round series win, defeating Idaho 4 games to 1. The Americans sprinted out to a 3-0 series lead before the Steelheads took game 4 in desperation to extend the series – Allen pushed through in game 5 to seal the deal. Allen advances and will play the winner of KC/Tahoe. 

Game 1 – Idaho 1 – 5 Allen
Game 2 – Idaho 2 – 4 Allen
Game 3 – Allen 4 – 3 Idaho (OT)
Game 4 – Allen 1 – 5 Idaho
Game 5 – Allen 6 – 3 Idaho

 

Central Division:

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

Fort Wayne won the Central Division on the last day of the season and were awarded with home ice advantage in their first round series with Indy. This has proven to be important – in the 3 games played so far, the home team has the victory. The series currently stands at 2-1 for Fort Wayne – with Game 4 tonight in Indy – where the Fuel look to even the series up. 

Game 1 – Indy 0 – 3 Fort Wayne
Game 2 – Indy 1 – 5 Fort Wayne
Game 3 – Fort Wayne 4 – 6 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)

The Walleye hold a commanding 3-0 lead on the Bison, in Bloomington’s first franchise playoff berth. Toledo can close out the series tonight  – game 5 (if necessary) is also in Bloomington tomorrow. The winner will face the victor of the FW/IND series. 

Game 1 – Bloomington 1 – 4 Toledo
Game 2 – Bloomington 3 – 4 Toledo
Game 3 – Toledo 6 – 3 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)

Florida held home ice advantage in their series with the Ghost Pirates – winning games 1 and 2 in Estero, and outscoring Savannah 6-1 over the 2 games. The series shifts back to Savannah where the Ghost Pirates will host the Everblades for their first ever home playoff game. 

Game 1 – Savannah 0 – 2 Florida
Game 2 – Savannah 1 – 4 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)

While South Carolina does hold a 3-1 series lead over Atlanta – the drama in this series has been high! Game 4 Tuesday night saw one of the most eventful last minutes in recent history, with the Glads tying the game with 1:05 remaining – then the Stingrays retaking the lead with :28 left. Things got interesting when the Gladiators took a desperation shot at the buzzer from center ice that went in! The goal was disallowed and the Stingrays got the win. The series shifts back to SC on Friday for game 5.

Game 1 – Atlanta 2 – 3 South Carolina
Game 2 – Atlanta 4 – 3 South Carolina
Game 3 – South Carolina 4 – 0 Atlanta
Game 4 – South Carolina 4 – 3 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) 

A reminder that this is the last season the North Division will compete for the Kelly Cup without the IRONHAWKS! That said – the division champion Wheeling Nailers hold a 2-0 lead in the series, outscoring Reading 9-1 over the 2 games. The series now heads back to Reading where the Royals will try to stay alive in the series over the next 3 games. 

Game 1 – Reading 0 – 4 Wheeling 
Game 2 – Reading 1 – 5 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)

Maine hosted Adirondack for the first 2 games of the series, which the teams split. The home Mariners won game 1 in OT, but the Thunder evened things up in a tightly contested series. It currently stands 1-1 going back to ADK. 

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!