The Kansas City Mavericks and Toledo Walleye have dominated their way through the Kelly Cup Playoffs thus far. Now, the two ECHL heavyweights meet for the first time in the Western Conference Finals.
The Kansas City Mavericks and Toledo Walleye will meet in the 2024 Western Conference Finals, and the winner will advance to the ECHL Kelly Cup Finals.
The Mavericks are back in the Western Conference Finals for the first time since the 2012-13 season and the first time since becoming members of the ECHL.
Meanwhile, Toledo looks to advance to the championship round for the third time in franchise history. The Walleye made it to the Kelly Cup Finals in 2018-19 and 2021-22 but dropped both series.
Kansas City and Toledo did not meet during the regular season, so both teams will be getting their first look at one another on the highest stage.
How They Got Here
Both teams have dominated the Kelly Cup Playoffs thus far.
Before topping the Idaho Steelheads in the Mountain Division Finals four games to one, Kansas City swept the Tulsa Oilers in four consecutive games in the first round.
Against the Steelheads, the Mavericks took Game 1 before Idaho evened the series in Game 2. Kansas City ripped off three straight wins and clinched the series on Cade Borchardt's game-winning goal in overtime in Game 5.
Meanwhile, the Toledo Walleye will look to keep its record unblemished. The Walleye swept the Kalamazoo Wings and Wheeling Nailers in back-to-back series, extending its historic win streak to 22 games.
Players To Watch
Kansas City
- Patrick Curry, F
- Nolan Walker, F
- Jeremy McKenna, F
- Cale Morris, G
- Jack LaFontaine, G
Toledo
- Riley Sawchuk, F
- Sam Craggs, F
- Brandon Hawkins, F
- John Lethemon, G
- Jan Bednar, G
Schedule
- Game 1 - Friday, May 17 at 7:15 p.m. ET at Toledo
- Game 2 - Saturday, May 18 at 7:15 p.m. ET at Toledo
- Game 3 - Monday, May 20 at 7:15 p.m. ET at Toledo
- Game 4 - Friday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m. CT at Kansas City
- Game 5 - Saturday, May 25 at 7:05 p.m. CT at Kansas City (If Necessary)
- Game 6 - Monday, May 27 at 4:05 p.m. CT at Kansas City (If Necessary)
- Game 7 - Wednesday, May 29 at 7:05 p.m. CT at Kansas City (If Necessary)
Prediction
Toledo in six games.