2018 Kelly Cup playoffs

2018 Kelly Cup playoffs
Tournament details
DatesApril 12–June 9, 2018
Teams16
Final positions
ChampionsColorado Eagles
Runner-upFlorida Everblades
Tournament statistics
Scoring leader(s)Michael Joly (Colorado) (29 points)
← 2017
2019 →

The 2018 Kelly Cup playoffs of the ECHL began in April 2018 following the conclusion of the 2017–18 ECHL regular season. The Kelly Cup was won by the Colorado Eagles, in their last season in the ECHL before joining the American Hockey League, in seven games over the regular season champions, the Florida Everblades.

Playoff format

At the end of the regular season the top four teams in each division qualifies for the 2018 Kelly Cup playoffs and be seeded one through four based on highest point total earned in the season. Then the first two rounds of the playoffs are held within the division with the first seed facing the fourth seed and the second seed facing the third. The division champions then play each other in a conference championship. The Kelly Cup finals pits the Eastern Conference champion against the Western Conference champion. All four rounds are a best-of-seven format.[1]

Playoff seeds

After the regular season, 16 teams qualify for the playoffs. The Florida Everblades were the first team to qualify during the regular season on February 28.[2] The Everblades were the Eastern Conference regular season champions and clinched the Brabham Cup with the best record in the ECHL on April 5. The Toledo Walleye earned the top seed in the Western Conference.

Final seeds[3]

Playoff bracket

Division Semifinals Division Finals Conference Finals Kelly Cup Finals
            
N1 Adirondack Thunder 4
N4 Worcester Railers 2
N1 Adirondack 4
North Division
N2 Manchester 2
N2 Manchester Monarchs 4
N3 Reading Royals 0
N1 Adirondack 1
Eastern Conference
S1 Florida 4
S1 Florida Everblades 4
S4 Atlanta Gladiators 0
S1 Florida 4
South Division
S3 Orlando 1
S2 South Carolina Stingrays 0
S3 Orlando Solar Bears 4
S1 Florida 3
M1 Colorado 4
C1 Toledo Walleye 4
C4 Indy Fuel 0
C1 Toledo 2
Central Division
C2 Fort Wayne 4
C2 Fort Wayne Komets 4
C3 Cincinnati Cyclones 1
C2 Fort Wayne 3
Western Conference
M1 Colorado 4
M1 Colorado Eagles 4
M4 Wichita Thunder 2
M1 Colorado 4
Mountain Division
M2 Idaho 0
M2 Idaho Steelheads 4
M3 Allen Americans 3


Division semifinals

North Division

(1) Adirondack Thunder vs. (4) Worcester Railers

April 13 Worcester Railers 0 – 3 Adirondack Thunder Cool Insuring Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 8:58 – Tim Harrison (1)
No scoring Second period 7:54 – pp – Paul Rodrigues (1)
No scoring Third period 5:50 – Brian Ward (1)
Mitch Gillam 18 saves / 21 shots Goalie stats Mackenzie Blackwood 27 saves / 27 shots
April 14 Adirondack Thunder 0 – 2 Worcester Railers DCU Center Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period Woody Hudson (1) – 7:40
No scoring Third period Barry Almeida (1) – sh – en – 19:14
Mackenzie Blackwood 25 saves / 26 shots Goalie stats Mitch Gillam 14 saves / 14 shots
April 15 Adirondack Thunder 3 – 1 Worcester Railers DCU Center Recap  
Brian Ward (2) – pp – 10:51 First period No scoring
Mike Szmatula (1) – 2:48 Second period 6:23 – Jeff Kubiak (1)
Ryan Schmelzer (1) – en – 19:47 Third period No scoring
Mackenzie Blackwood 28 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Eamon McAdam 33 saves / 35 shots
April 18 Worcester Railers 1 – 2 Adirondack Thunder Cool Insuring Arena Recap  
No scoring First period Ryan Schmelzer (2) – 8:07
11:12 – pp – Barry Almeida (2) Second period Brian Ward (3) – 12:44
No scoring Third period No scoring
Eamon McAdam 26 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Mackenzie Blackwood 28 saves / 29 shots
April 21 Worcester Railers 6 – 5 Adirondack Thunder Cool Insuring Arena Recap  
Josh Holmstrom (1) – 0:35 First period 6:52 – pp – Ryan Schmelzer (3)
7:55 – Mike Bergin (1)
12:14 – pp – Shane Conacher (1)
Nick Saracino (1) – 6:58
Matt Gaudreau (1) – pp – 11:55
Matt Lane (1) – 12:55 		Second period 5:49 – Tim Harrison (2)
Nick Saracino (2) – 3:32
Nick Saracino (3) – pp – 14:02 		Third period 0:19 – Brian Ward (4)
Mitch Gillam 10 saves / 14 shots
Eamon McAdam 18 saves / 19 shots 		Goalie stats Mackenzie Blackwood 0 saves / 1 shot
Olivier Mantha 20 saves / 25 shots
April 23 Adirondack Thunder 3 – 1 Worcester Railers DCU Center Recap  
Paul Rodrigues (2) – sh – 8:27
Desmond Bergin (1) – 19:57 		First period 9:09 – Barry Almeida (3)
No scoring Second period No scoring
Mike Szmatula (2) – en – 19:15 Third period No scoring
Olivier Mantha 27 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Eamon McAdam 22 saves / 24 shots
Adirondack won series 4–2


(2) Manchester Monarchs vs. (3) Reading Royals

April 13 Reading Royals 2 – 3 2OT Manchester Monarchs SNHU Arena Recap
April 14 Reading Royals 2 – 3 2OT Manchester Monarchs SNHU Arena Recap
April 16 Manchester Monarchs 4 – 3 OT Reading Royals Santander Arena Recap
April 18 Manchester Monarchs 3 – 0 Reading Royals Santander Arena Recap
Manchester won series 4–0


South Division

(1) Florida Everblades vs. (4) Atlanta Gladiators

April 16 Atlanta Gladiators 1 – 4 Florida Everblades Germain Arena Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Alex Rauter (1) – pp – 18:33 Second period 7:35 – Brett Bulmer (1)
No scoring Third period 8:24 – Mitchell Heard (1)
14:39 – sh – John McCarron (1)
19:31 – en – Michael Kirkpatrick (1)
Daniel Vladař 45 saves / 48 shots Goalie stats Martin Ouellette 20 saves / 21 shots
April 17 Atlanta Gladiators 2 – 3 Florida Everblades Germain Arena Recap
April 19 Florida Everblades 4 – 2 Atlanta Gladiators Infinite Energy Arena Recap
April 20 Florida Everblades 3 – 2 OT Atlanta Gladiators Infinite Energy Arena Recap
Florida won series 4–0


(2) South Carolina Stingrays vs. (3) Orlando Solar Bears

April 12 Orlando Solar Bears 2 – 0 South Carolina Stingrays North Charleston Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Hunter Fejes (1) – sh – 7:47 Second period No scoring
J.J. Piccinich (1) – en – 19:07 Third period No scoring
Cal Heeter 36 saves / 36 shots Goalie stats Parker Milner 18 saves / 19 shots
April 14 Orlando Solar Bears 2 – 1 South Carolina Stingrays North Charleston Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Max Novak (1) – pp – 0:38
J.J. Piccinich (2) – 18:37 		Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 9:21 – Mason Mitchell (1)
Cal Heeter 23 saves / 24 shots Goalie stats Parker Milner 21 saves / 23 shots
April 19 South Carolina Stingrays 1 – 2 OT Orlando Solar Bears Amway Center Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Mason Mitchell (2) – 7:47 Second period 16:46 – Joe Perry (1)
No scoring Third period No scoring
No scoring First overtime period 17:29 – sh – Hunter Fejes (2)
Parker Milner 28 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Cal Heeter 49 saves / 50 shots
April 21 South Carolina Stingrays 1 – 2 OT Orlando Solar Bears Amway Center Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 11:27 – pp – Sam Jardine (1)
Patrick Megannety (1) – sh – 4:35 Third period No scoring
No scoring First overtime period Jean Dupy
Parker Milner 21 saves / 23 shots Goalie stats Cal Heeter 41 saves / 42 shots
Orlando won series 4–0


Central Division

(1) Toledo Walleye vs. (4) Indy Fuel

April 13 Indy Fuel 3 – 4 2OT Toledo Walleye Huntington Center Recap
April 15 Indy Fuel 3 – 4 Toledo Walleye Huntington Center Recap
April 18 Toledo Walleye 3 – 1 Indy Fuel Indiana Farmers Coliseum Recap
April 19 Toledo Walleye 3 – 2 2OT Indy Fuel Indiana Farmers Coliseum Recap
Toledo won series 4–0


(2) Fort Wayne Komets vs. (3) Cincinnati Cyclones

April 14 Cincinnati Cyclones 3 – 4 2OT Fort Wayne Komets Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Recap  
Daniel Muzito Bagenda (1) – pp – 5:26 First period No scoring
Justin Vaive (1) – 1:00 Second period 9:30 – Daniel Maggio (1)
13:13 – pp – Garrett Thompson (1)
Jesse Schultz (1) – pp – 8:41 Third period 6:39 – Ryan Lowney (1)
No scoring Second overtime period 6:29 – Jamie Schaafsma (1)
Jonas Johansson 68 saves / 72 shots Goalie stats Michael Houser 26 saves / 29 shots
April 15 Cincinnati Cyclones 1 – 3 Fort Wayne Komets Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Recap
April 19 Fort Wayne Komets 6 – 7 OT Cincinnati Cyclones U.S. Bank Arena Recap
April 21 Fort Wayne Komets 2 – 1 Cincinnati Cyclones U.S. Bank Arena Recap
April 22 Fort Wayne Komets 4 – 2 Cincinnati Cyclones U.S. Bank Arena Recap
Fort Wayne won series 4–1


Mountain Division

(1) Colorado Eagles vs. (4) Wichita Thunder

April 15 Colorado Eagles 2 – 1 Wichita Thunder Intrust Bank Arena Recap  
No scoring First period Lane Bauer (1) – 7:12
No scoring Second period No scoring
11:14 – pp – Drayson Bowman (1) Third period No scoring
5:23 – sh – J.C. Beaudin (1) Overtime No scoring
Joe Cannata 13 saves / 14 shots Goalie stats Shane Starrett 37 saves / 39 shots
April 16 Colorado Eagles 5 – 2 Wichita Thunder Intrust Bank Arena Recap
April 18 Wichita Thunder 2 – 4 Colorado Eagles Budweiser Events Center Recap
April 20 Wichita Thunder 6 – 0 Colorado Eagles Budweiser Events Center Recap
April 21 Wichita Thunder 5 – 4 OT Colorado Eagles Budweiser Events Center Recap
April 23 Colorado Eagles 5 – 3 Wichita Thunder Intrust Bank Arena Recap
Colorado won series 4–2


(2) Idaho Steelheads vs. (3) Allen Americans

April 13 Allen Americans 3 – 2 Idaho Steelheads CenturyLink Arena Recap
April 14 Allen Americans 5 – 4 Idaho Steelheads CenturyLink Arena Recap
April 18 Idaho Steelheads 3 – 5 Allen Americans Allen Event Center Recap
April 20 Idaho Steelheads 2 – 1 Allen Americans Allen Event Center Recap
April 22 Idaho Steelheads 2 – 1 Allen Americans Allen Event Center Recap
April 24 Allen Americans 3 – 6 Idaho Steelheads CenturyLink Arena Recap
April 25 Allen Americans 1 – 3 Idaho Steelheads CenturyLink Arena Recap
Idaho won series 4–3


Division finals

North Division

(N1) Adirondack Thunder vs. (N2) Manchester Monarchs

April 27 Manchester Monarchs 5 – 3 Adirondack Thunder Cool Insuring Arena Recap
April 28 Manchester Monarchs 1 – 5 Adirondack Thunder Cool Insuring Arena Recap
May 1 Manchester Monarchs 3 – 5 Adirondack Thunder Cool Insuring Arena Recap
May 3 Manchester Monarchs 3 – 0 Adirondack Thunder Cool Insuring Arena Recap
May 6 Adirondack Thunder 6 – 0 Manchester Monarchs SNHU Arena Recap
May 7 Adirondack Thunder 3 – 2 3OT Manchester Monarchs SNHU Arena Recap
Adirondack won series 4–2


South Division

(S1) Florida Everblades vs. (S3) Orlando Solar Bears

April 27 Orlando Solar Bears 1 – 4 Florida Everblades Germain Arena Recap
April 28 Orlando Solar Bears 1 – 5 Florida Everblades Germain Arena Recap
May 3 Florida Everblades 5 – 1 Orlando Solar Bears Amway Center Recap
May 4 Florida Everblades 3 – 5 Orlando Solar Bears Amway Center Recap
May 6 Florida Everblades 5 – 2 Orlando Solar Bears Amway Center Recap
Florida won series 4–1


Central Division

(C1) Toledo Walleye vs. (C2) Fort Wayne Komets

April 28 Fort Wayne Komets 5 – 3 Toledo Walleye Huntington Center Recap
April 29 Fort Wayne Komets 1 – 2 Toledo Walleye Huntington Center Recap
May 2 Toledo Walleye 4 – 3 Fort Wayne Komets Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Recap
May 4 Toledo Walleye 1 – 3 Fort Wayne Komets Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Recap
May 5 Fort Wayne Komets 4 – 1 Toledo Walleye Huntington Center Recap
May 8 Toledo Walleye 2 – 4 Fort Wayne Komets Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Recap
Fort Wayne won series 4–2


Mountain Division

(M1) Colorado Eagles vs. (M2) Idaho Steelheads

April 28 Idaho Steelheads 0 – 1 OT Colorado Eagles Budweiser Events Center Recap
April 29 Idaho Steelheads 2 – 6 Colorado Eagles Budweiser Events Center Recap
May 2 Colorado Eagles 3 – 2 Idaho Steelheads CenturyLink Arena Recap
May 3 Colorado Eagles 1 – 0 OT Idaho Steelheads CenturyLink Arena Recap
Colorado won series 4–0


Conference finals

Eastern Conference

(S1) Florida Everblades vs. (N1) Adirondack Thunder

May 11 Adirondack Thunder 3 – 4 Florida Everblades Germain Arena Recap
May 12 Adirondack Thunder 3 – 2 OT Florida Everblades Germain Arena Recap
May 16 Florida Everblades 3 – 2 Adirondack Thunder Cool Insuring Arena Recap
May 18 Florida Everblades 7 – 3 Adirondack Thunder Cool Insuring Arena Recap
May 19 Florida Everblades 3 – 2 Adirondack Thunder Cool Insuring Arena Recap
Florida won series 4–1


Western Conference

(M1) Colorado Eagles vs. (C2) Fort Wayne Komets

May 12 Fort Wayne Komets 2 – 3 OT Colorado Eagles Budweiser Events Center Recap
May 13 Fort Wayne Komets 3 – 2 Colorado Eagles Budweiser Events Center Recap
May 16 Colorado Eagles 2 – 4 Fort Wayne Komets Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Recap
May 18 Colorado Eagles 2 – 1 Fort Wayne Komets Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Recap
May 19 Colorado Eagles 4 – 3 2OT Fort Wayne Komets Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Recap
May 22 Fort Wayne Komets 3 – 2 Colorado Eagles Budweiser Events Center Recap
May 23 Fort Wayne Komets 3 – 4 OT Colorado Eagles Budweiser Events Center Recap
Colorado won series 4–3


Kelly Cup finals

(S1) Florida Everblades vs. (M1) Colorado Eagles

May 25 Florida Everblades 1 – 3 Colorado Eagles Budweiser Events Center Recap
May 27 Florida Everblades 4 – 3 Colorado Eagles Budweiser Events Center Recap
May 30 Colorado Eagles 5 – 4 OT Florida Everblades Germain Arena Recap
June 1 Colorado Eagles 6 – 7 OT Florida Everblades Germain Arena Recap
June 2 Colorado Eagles 0 – 5 Florida Everblades Germain Arena Recap
June 6 Florida Everblades 2 – 4 Colorado Eagles Budweiser Events Center Recap
June 9 Colorado Eagles 3 – 2 Florida Everblades Germain Arena Recap
Colorado won series 4–3


Statistical leaders

Skaters

These are the top ten skaters based on points.[4]

Player Team GP G A Pts +/– PIM
Michael Joly Colorado Eagles 24 13 16 29 +11 16
Michael Kirkpatrick Florida Everblades 18 11 11 22 +5 12
Mitchell Heard Florida Everblades 20 9 13 22 +4 39
John McCarron Florida Everblades 21 10 10 20 +3 62
Gabriel Desjardins Fort Wayne Komets 18 9 11 20 +13 12
Matt Register Colorado Eagles 24 3 17 20 +4 16
J.C. Beaudin Colorado Eagles 22 10 8 18 +0 6
Ryan Schmelzer Adirondack Thunder 17 9 8 17 +9 24
Shawn Szydlowski Fort Wayne Komets 17 4 13 17 +0 16
Garrett Thompson Fort Wayne Komets 18 7 9 16 +5 16

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

Goaltending

This is a combined table of the top five goaltenders based on goals against average and the top five goaltenders based on save percentage, with at least 240 minutes played. The table is sorted by GAA, and the criteria for inclusion are bolded.[5]

Player Team GP W L OTL SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
Mackenzie Blackwood Adirondack Thunder 5 3 1 0 112 4 1.00 0.964 1 240
Parker Milner South Carolina Stingrays 4 0 2 2 95 7 1.54 0.926 0 273
Cal Heeter Orlando Solar Bears 8 4 3 0 255 14 1.90 0.945 1 443
Philippe Desrosiers Idaho Steelheads 10 4 3 2 290 19 2.00 0.934 0 571
John Muse Reading Royals 4 0 1 3 200 11 2.02 0.945 0 328
Drew Fielding Adirondack Thunder 10 5 5 0 360 25 2.35 0.931 1 639

GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OTL = Overtime Losses; SA = Shots against; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; SV% = Save percentage; SO = Shutouts; TOI = Time on ice (in minutes)

See also

References

  1. ^ "Annual ECHL Board of Governors Meeting Concludes". ECHL. June 20, 2017. Archived from the original on June 20, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  2. ^ "Everblades Clinch Playoff Berth with 6-2 Victory Over Icemen". Florida Everblades. March 1, 2018. Archived from the original on March 22, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  3. ^ "ECHL Standings - Division". ECHL. Archived from the original on August 1, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  4. ^ "Skater Statistics". ECHL. Archived from the original on April 22, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  5. ^ "Goaltender Statistics". ECHL. Archived from the original on April 25, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
Preceded by Kelly Cup Playoffs
2018 		Succeeded by