The ECHL playoffs reached the conference finals with the Wheeling Nailers and Florida Everblades earning their Eastern Conference spots and the Kansas City Mavericks and Fort Wayne Komets doing the same in the West. These four teams will battle for a chance to face off in the 2026 Kelly Cup Final, with Game 1 set for May 22.
In the East, the Nailers and Everblades will meet in the first round of the Eastern Conference Finals. Wheeling’s rookie Brayden Edwards enters the series with 10 playoff points, tied for the rookie lead. Florida’s Anthony Romano is a force on offense, leading the playoffs with eight goals. The Nailers have been effective on the power play, scoring two shorthanded goals in the postseason. Meanwhile, the Everblades have dominated their home playoff games, going 4-0 with a 15-3 goal differential. Game 1 is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, with Game 2 following on Saturday at the same time in Florida.
The Western Conference Finals will see the Fort Wayne Komets take on the Kansas City Mavericks. Fort Wayne’s Austin Magera has been a key player on the power play, tallying three goals. Kansas City’s Bobo Carpenter is also a major threat, tied with Romano for the playoff scoring lead with eight goals. The Komets have converted 5 of 21 road power-play chances, while the Mavericks have led the playoffs in scoring with 4.00 goals per game. Game 1 tips off at 7:05 p.m. CT, with Game 2 scheduled for Saturday at 6:05 p.m. CT in Kansas City.
Looking back, the division finals were hard-fought. Wheeling edged Maine in a dramatic seven-game North Division Finals. Florida swept South Carolina in four games to advance in the South. The Komets took down Toledo in six games in the Central, and Kansas City completed a four-game sweep of the Allen Americans in the Mountain.
All eyes now turn to the next round. The ECHL’s top teams are ready to make their case for the Kelly Cup, with the next games set to determine who will represent each conference in the championship series.
The Florida Everblades edged the Wheeling Nailers 2-1 in Game One of the Eastern Conference Final on Friday night at Hertz Arena. Matty De St. Phalle scored the lone goal for Wheeling, while Cam Johnson made 24 saves to secure the win for Florida.
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