Preview of Division Semifinals – 2026 Kelly Cup Playoffs

North Division Semifinals (Better of Seven)

#1 Wheeling Nailers (46-20-6) vs. #4 Studying Royals (36-26-10)Collection Matchup Sheet

Wheeling enters the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive season off of its first division title since 2003-04 whereas Studying is within the postseason for the fourth time in 5 years. The 2 groups are assembly within the playoffs for the fourth time, with the Nailers popping out on prime in two of the three earlier collection, together with the final assembly in 2016.

The Nailers went 46-20-6 within the common season, and have been one among three groups to win a minimum of 22 video games each at residence and on the highway. Connor Lockhart (21g-34a) and Brent Johnson (12g-43a) shared the staff lead with 55 factors. Johnson, who was named to the ECHL All-Rookie Group, led all ECHL defensemen in scoring this season. Taylor Gauthier was tied for the ECHL lead with a .929 save share and ranked third with a 2.09 goals-against common whereas going 21-9-5 in 36 appearances.

The Royals posted a 36-26-10 mark in the course of the common season, together with a 23-9-4 document on residence ice. Ben Meehan, who additionally earned a spot on the ECHL All-Rookie Group, led the staff with 46 factors (12g-34a) whereas Carson Golder had a team-best 17 objectives. Keith Petruzzelli was tied for second within the league with 4 shutouts whereas posting a 17-16-6 document with a 2.59 goals-against common and .912 save share.

Wheeling went 7-7-1 towards the Royals within the common season whereas Studying went 8-6-1. Each groups discovered success away from residence with the Nailers going 5-3-0 and the Royals going 5-2-0. Lockhart led Wheeling with 4 objectives within the season collection whereas Johnson posted a team-leading 11 factors (1g-10a). Kyle Haskins and Connor McMenamin led the Royals with 4 objectives with Haskins main the staff with 9 factors.

Sport 1 – Friday, April 24 at 7:10 p.m. ET at WheelingGame 2 – Saturday, April 25 at 7:10 p.m. ET at WheelingGame 3 – Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. ET at ReadingGame 4 – Friday, Could 1 at 7 p.m. ET at ReadingGame 5 – Saturday, Could 2 at 7 p.m. ET at Studying (If Mandatory)Sport 6 – Monday, Could 4 at 7:10 p.m. ET at Wheeling (If Mandatory)Sport 7 – Wednesday, Could 6 at 7:10 p.m. ET at Wheeling (If Mandatory)

#2 Maine Mariners (42-21-9) vs. #3 Adirondack Thunder (37-24-11)Collection Matchup Sheet

Each Maine and Adirondack return to the postseason after not qualifying in 2025. The Thunder defeated the Mariners in seven video games within the 2024 North Division Semifinals.

Maine used a 21-6-2 end to the common season to complete in second place within the North Division. Brooklyn Kalmikov (21g-41a) and Max Andreev (19g-43a) shared the staff lead with 62 factors every, whereas Robert Cronin ranked fourth amongst ECHL rookies with 56 factors (19g-37a). The Mariners function a robust duo in web, as Brad Arvantis was tied for the league lead with a .929 save share whereas ending fourth with a 2.17 goals-against common and Luke Cavallin, the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Helpful Participant with Trois-Rivières, ranked seventh with a 2.35 goals-against common.

Adirondack was led within the common season by All-ECHL Second Group choice Brannon McManus, who was eighth within the league with 67 factors (31g-36a) in 72 video games. Jeremy Broduer was tied for fifth with 23 wins, to associate with a 2.69 goals-against common and a save share of .908.

Adirondack was 10-2-3 towards the Mariners within the season collection whereas Maine was 5-5-5 towards the Thunder. Eight of the 15 matchups, together with every of the final 4, have been determined in both time beyond regulation or a shootout. Tyson Fawcett’s seven objectives led the Thunder whereas McManus had a team-best 13 factors (6g-7a) in the course of the regular-season collection. Cronin was Maine’s offensive chief with 5 objectives and 13 factors.

Sport 1 – Friday, April 24 at 6 p.m. ET at MaineGame 2 – Saturday, April 25 at 6 p.m. ET at MaineGame 3 – Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. ET at AdirondackGame 4 – Friday, Could 1 at 7 p.m. ET at AdirondackGame 5 – Saturday, Could 2 at 7 p.m. ET at Adirondack (If Mandatory)Sport 6 – Tuesday, Could 5 at 7 p.m. ET at Maine (If Mandatory)Sport 7 – Wednesday, Could 6 at 7 p.m. ET at Maine (If Mandatory)

South Division Semifinals (Better of Seven)

#1 Florida Everblades (49-13-10) vs. #4 Savannah Ghost Pirates (35-33-4)Collection Matchup Sheet

Florida enters the postseason for the eleventh consecutive season whereas Savannah has certified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the primary time in its four-season historical past.

The Everblades captured the South Division title for the fifth time within the final 10 years, and set an ECHL document with 1.97 goals-against per recreation, changing into the primary staff in league historical past to permit lower than two objectives per recreation. Anthony Romano led Florida with 26 objectives and 62 factors whereas All-ECHL Second Group choice Jordan Sambrook led the league with a single-season document +62 ranking. All-ECHL First Group goaltender Cam Johnson led the league with 31 wins and a 1.84 goals-against common.

Savannah was led in the course of the season by Nicholas Zabaneh, who scored 27 objectives and added 24 assists for 51 factors, whereas main the ECHL with 5 shorthanded objectives. In purpose, Vinnie Purpura went 22-17-0 in 39 outings this season with two shutouts, a 2.64 goals-against common and a save share of .914.

Florida went 7-2-1 towards the Ghost Pirates within the common season with Savannah going 3-6-1.

Sport 1 – Friday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET at FloridaGame 2 – Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m. ET at FloridaGame 3 – Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. ET at SavannahGame 4 – Friday, Could 1 at 7 p.m. ET at SavannahGame 5 – Saturday, Could 2 at 7 p.m. ET at Savannah (If Mandatory)Sport 6 – Monday, Could 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Florida (If Mandatory)Sport 7 – Tuesday, Could 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Florida (If Mandatory)

#2 South Carolina Stingrays (45-23-4) vs. #3 Atlanta Gladiators (44-23-5)Collection Matchup Sheet

South Carolina is within the postseason for the twenty ninth time in staff historical past whereas Atlanta returns to the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the primary time since 2022. The 2 groups have break up their earlier 4 playoff matchups.

The Stingrays have been second within the common season with 26 residence wins. South Carolina was led offensively by All-ECHL First Group choice Simon Pinard who was tied for fourth within the league with 73 factors (30g-43a). Seth Eisele appeared in 29 video games in the course of the common season posting a document of 18-7-1 with three shutouts, a 2.37 goals-against common and a save share of .919.

Alex Younger paced Atlanta within the common season with 59 factors (27g-32a). All-ECHL First Group defenseman Chad Nychuk was tied for sixth amongst blueliners with 53 factors (8g-45a) whereas Isak Walther was ninth amongst rookies with 23 objectives. Ethan Haider and ECHL All-Rookie Group choice T.J. Semptimphelter break up time in purpose in the course of the common season. Haider was fourth within the league with 24 wins whereas Semptimphelter ranked fifth with a 2.28 goals-against common.

South Carolina was 5-3-1 within the regular-season collection whereas Atlanta went 4-3-2. Kyler Kupka paced the Stingrays within the head-to-head conferences with 11 factors (3g-8a) with Eisele going 3-1-0 with a 2.17 goals-against common. Younger’s eight factors (3g-5a) led the Gladiators towards South Carolina whereas Haider went 3-0-1 with a 2.60 goals-against common.

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

Central Division Semifinals (Better of Seven)

#1 Fort Wayne Komets (45-17-10) vs. #4 Indy Gasoline (34-27-11)Collection Matchup Sheet

Intrastate rivals Fort Wayne and Indy meet within the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the primary time.

The Komets captured the Central Division title, marking their first regular-season division championship in 10 years. Fort Wayne posted the league’s second-best highway document in the course of the common season, going 25-4-7 away from Memorial Coliseum. Austin Magera led the Komets, and was tied for third within the league, with 32 objectives, whereas Kirill Tyutyayev posted a team-leading 68 factors (22g-46a). Samuel Jonsson led the ECHL with 5 shutouts, en path to a 21-8-2 document. Fellow goaltender Nathaniel Day went 22-9-8 in his 39 appearances.

Indy has reached the postseason for the fourth consecutive season and for the fifth time in six years. Defenseman Matt Petgrave led the Gasoline in scoring with 48 factors (12g-36a) whereas Mitchell Weeks went 20-15-7 with a 2.46 goals-against common and completed third within the league with 2,585 minutes performed.

Fort Wayne was 9-2-1 within the regular-season collection whereas Indy went 3-5-4. Tyutyayev paced the Komets with 13 factors (5g-8a) with Day going 5-0-0 in his 5 outings within the season collection. Indy was led by Jesse Tucker’s eight factors (3g-5a) whereas Weeks went 3-4-2 with a 2.32 goals-against common.

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

#2 Toledo Walleye (43-17-12) vs. #3 Bloomington Bison (37-30-5)Collection Matchup Sheet

Toledo is making its tenth consecutive postseason look whereas Bloomington has reached the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the primary time in staff historical past.

The Walleye surpassed the 40-win mark for the tenth consecutive full season. All-ECHL First Group choice Brandon Hawkins completed second within the common season with 35 objectives and 78 factors whereas Tanner Kelly was tied for sixth amongst rookies with 50 factors (25g-25a). Carter Gylander posted a 20-9-5 document in 34 appearances to associate with a 2.78 goals-against common and .901 save share.

Bloomington used a 7-3-0 document over its remaining 10 video games to qualify for the postseason in its second ECHL season. All-ECHL Second Group defenseman Nikita Sedov led the Bison within the common season, whereas rating second amongst ECHL blueliners, with 59 factors (13g-46a) in 68 video games. In purpose, Dryden McKay was tied for second within the league with 25 wins and tied for tenth with a .917 save share.

Toledo was 5-2-2 towards the Bison within the common season with Bloomington going 4-5-0 towards the Walleye. Hawkins’ seven objectives led the best way for Toledo within the head-to-head collection whereas his 9 factors have been tied with Tanner Dickinson (2g-7a) for the staff lead. Sullivan Mack paced Bloomington within the regular-season matchups with 4 objectives and 7 factors.

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

Mountain Division Semifinals (Better of Seven)

#1 Kansas Metropolis Mavericks (55-12-5) vs. #4 Tahoe Knight Monsters (35-30-7)Collection Matchup Sheet

Kansas Metropolis and Tahoe meet within the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive season after the Mavericks prevailed 4 video games to 0 within the 2025 Mountain Division Finals.

The Mavericks captured the Mountain Division title for the third straight season, and the Brabham Cup as ECHL regular-season champions for the second time in three seasons. Kansas Metropolis’s 55 wins and 115 factors are each tied for the third most in a single-season in ECHL historical past whereas its 28 highway wins are the second most all-time. ECHL Defenseman of the Yr Marcus Crawford led the ECHL in scoring with 86 factors (14g-72a) whereas ECHL All-Rookie Group choice Jackson Jutting paced all first-year gamers with 30 objectives and was tied for second with 59 factors. All-ECHL Second Group goaltender Jack LaFontaine went 22-2-4 in 29 appearances and completed second within the league with a 1.97 goals-against common and third with a .928 save share.

The Knight Monsters have been second within the common season in offense, averaging 3.57 objectives per recreation. Devon Paliani was tied for third within the league with 32 objectives and was tied for ninth with 65 factors whereas Trent Swick was tied for sixth amongst rookies with 25 objectives and 50 factors.

Kansas Metropolis was 6-1-0 towards the Knight Monsters in the course of the common season whereas Tahoe went 1-5-1 towards the Mavericks. Bobo Carpenter’s six objectives led the Mavericks whereas Crawford tallied a team-leading 11 factors (2g-9a). Paliani was Tahoe’s prime offensive performer within the head-to-head conferences with 5 objectives and 10 factors.

Sport 1 – Friday, April 24 at 7:05 p.m. CT at Kansas CityGame 2 – Saturday, April 25 at 6:05 p.m. CT at Kansas CityGame 3 – Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. PT at TahoeGame 4 – Thursday, April 30 at 7 p.m. PT at TahoeGame 5 – Saturday, Could 2 at 7 p.m. PT at Tahoe (If Mandatory)Sport 6 – Monday, Could 4 at 7:05 p.m. CT at Kansas Metropolis (If Mandatory)Sport 7 – Wednesday, Could 6 at 7:05 p.m. CT at Kansas Metropolis (If Mandatory)

#2 Allen Individuals (43-23-6) vs. #3 Idaho Steelheads (42-23-7)Collection Matchup Sheet

Each Allen and Idaho return to the Kelly Cup Playoffs after failing to qualify final season. That is the fifth all-time postseason assembly between the groups with the Steelheads profitable every of the final three matchups.

The Individuals used an 11-0-1 streak to finish the common season to edge out Idaho for home-ice benefit within the collection. All-ECHL First Group choice Danny Katic led the league within the common season with 38 objectives and was sixth with 70 factors whereas ECHL Sportsmanship Award winner Brayden Watts led Allen and was third within the league with 75 factors (24g-51a). Marco Costantini posted a 20-8-4 document in 33 outings with two shutouts, a 2.83 goals-against common and a save share of .917.

Idaho has gained its first-round collection in every of its final 4 playoff appearances. Brendan Hoffmann, who was named to the All-ECHL Second Group regardless of being loaned to San Jose of the American Hockey League in February, led the Steelheads with 32 objectives and 51 factors in 44 video games whereas Kaleb Pearson ranked second amongst ECHL rookies with 28 objectives. Jake Barczewski went 15-7-2 with a 2.54 goals-against common in 25 appearances.

Allen was 1-4-2 towards the Steelheads within the common season whereas Idaho went 6-1-0 towards the Individuals. The Steelheads gained every of the six conferences in Boise, and over the past 5 seasons, are 22-2-0 towards Allen in Boise. Michael Gildon’s 4 objectives led the Individuals towards Idaho whereas Hank Crone had a team-leading seven factors (2g-5a). Pearson paced Idaho offensively within the eight conferences with six objectives and eight factors.

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