The ECHL Kelly Cup Division Finals get underway on Friday. Here is a look at each matchup, key players to watch, and our predictions for advancing teams.
The ECHL Kelly Cup Division Finals get underway on Friday. Here is a look at each matchup, key players to watch, and our predictions for advancing teams.
North Division Finals
#1 Adirondack Thunder vs. #2 Norfolk Admirals
The Norfolk Admirals are making the most of their first postseason berth as a member of the ECHL. Meanwhile, the Adirondack Thunder have made the postseason in back-to-back years but are in the Division Finals for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
The Admirals finished off Trois-Rivières in six games in the first round. Forwards Austen Keating and Danny Katic and defenseman Carson Musser all recorded six points in the series. Goaltender Yaniv Perets shouldered the load, making five of the six starts and accumulating a 3.26 goals-against average and 0.875 save percentage.
Adirondack held off the Maine Mariners in Game 7 on Wednesday, as Thunder goaltender Isaac Poulter collected his third shutout of the series. Meanwhile, Tristan Ashbrook recorded five goals and seven points, and Shane Harper had three goals and six points.
During the regular season, Norfolk picked up wins in five of the eight meetings.
Key Players (Adirondack)
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Key Players (Norfolk)
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Prediction
Adirondack in 6.
South Division Finals
The defending Kelly Cup champion Florida Everblades came back from a 3-1 deficit in the first round against the Jacksonville Icemen. The Everblades were guided by goaltender Cam Johnson, who stopped all 27 shots to earn his first shutout in the postseason in Game 7.
Meanwhile, the Orlando Solar Bears topped the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in six games. Forward Spencer Kersten led all ECHL skaters with six goals in the first round. Added, netminder Evan Fitzpatrick allowed one or fewer goals in three of the six games.
The Everblades collected points in eight of the 12 meetings between the two teams during the regular season.
#3 Florida Everblades vs. #4 Orlando Solar Bears
Key Players (Florida)
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Key Players (Orlando)
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Prediction
Florida in 6.
Central Division Finals
#1 Toledo Walleye vs. #3 Wheeling Nailers
Toledo made quick work of Kalamazoo in the first round, sweeping the Wings in four straight games to advance to the Division Finals for the fifth-straight non-COVID-impacted season. The Walleye also extended their winning streak to 18 games, dating back to the regular season.
Wheeling dropped Game 1 of its first-round series with Indy but proceeded to take the next four games. Forwards Jordan Martel and Justin Addamo each tallied nine-point efforts in the opening round, while Jaxon Castor collected wins in four of his five appearances.
Toledo collected points in three of the four meetings with Wheeling during the regular season, with three of the four games being decided by one goal.
Key Players (Toledo)
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Key Players (Wheeling)
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Schedule
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Prediction
Toledo in 6.
Mountain Division Finals
#1 Kansas City Mavericks vs. #2 Idaho Steelheads
Top-seeded Kansas City swept Tulsa in four consecutive games to advance to the Division Finals for the first time since the 2015-16 season. Goaltenders Jack LaFontaine and Cale Morris alternated starts, with each player surrendering two goals and collecting wins in their respective outings.
Idaho knocked off the Allen Americans in five games during the first round and advanced to the Division Finals for the second straight year. Forward Ty Pelton-Byce led all ECHL forwards with 12 points, and Patrick Kudla led all defensemen with seven points in the first round.
The Mavericks collected points in five of the six matchups between the two teams during the regular season.
Key Players (Kansas City)
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Key Players (Idaho)
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Schedule
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Prediction
Kansas City in 7.
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Florida Everblades Back Cam Johnson's Shutout With Four-Goal Second Period
Idaho Steelheads Bolster Blueline, Add Dawson Barteaux For Mountain Division Finals