2018 Kelly Cup playoffs


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.

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. 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''

Eastern Conference

North Division

  1. Adirondack Thunder – Division champions, 89 pts
  2. Manchester Monarchs – 88 pts
  3. Reading Royals – 87 pts
  4. Worcester Railers – 82 pts

South Division

  1. Florida EverbladesBrabham Cup winners, division champions, 112 pts
  2. South Carolina Stingrays – 104 pts
  3. Orlando Solar Bears – 75 pts
  4. Atlanta Gladiators – 69 pts

Western Conference

Central Division

  1. Toledo Walleye – Division champions, 105 pts
  2. Fort Wayne Komets – 98 pts
  3. Cincinnati Cyclones – 81 pts
  4. Indy Fuel – 78 pts

Mountain Division

  1. Colorado Eagles – Division champions, 102 pts
  2. Idaho Steelheads96 pts
  3. Allen Americans – 78 pts
  4. Wichita Thunder – 76 pts

Playoff bracket



Statistical leaders

Skaters

These are the top ten skaters based on points.
PlayerTeamGPGAPts+/–PIM
Michael JolyColorado Eagles24131629+1116
Michael KirkpatrickFlorida Everblades18111122+512
Mitchell HeardFlorida Everblades2091322+439
John McCarronFlorida Everblades21101020+362
Gabriel DesjardinsFort Wayne Komets1891120+1312
Matt RegisterColorado Eagles2431720+416
J.C. BeaudinColorado Eagles2210818+06
Ryan SchmelzerAdirondack Thunder179817+924
Shawn SzydlowskiFort Wayne Komets1741317+016
Garrett ThompsonFort Wayne Komets187916+516

''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.
PlayerTeamGPWLOTLSAGAGAASV%SOTOI
Mackenzie BlackwoodAdirondack Thunder531011241.000.9641240
Parker MilnerSouth Carolina Stingrays40229571.540.9260273
Cal HeeterOrlando Solar Bears8430255141.900.9451443
Philippe DesrosiersIdaho Steelheads10432290192.000.9340571
John MuseReading Royals4013200112.020.9450328
Drew FieldingAdirondack Thunder10550360252.350.9311639

''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 ''