Get ready for a series that will go down in the history books, as the Eastern Conference and Western Conference clash in a battle for the prestigious Kelly Cup. The Kelly Cup, the ultimate prize in the ECHL, is awarded to the playoff champion at the end of each season. The potential seven-game showdown kicks off on Saturday in Ohio, where the Trois-Rivières Lions and Toledo Walleye will face off for the first time in the postseason, a moment that fans have been eagerly anticipating.
The series opens in Toledo with Game 1 on Saturday, May 31, followed by Game 2 on Monday, June 2 (also in Toledo). The teams then head to Trois-Rivières, Quebec, for Game 3 on Wednesday, June 4 at 7 p.m. and Game 4 on Friday, June 6. If necessary, Game 5 will be played on Saturday, June 7. Should the series extend past five games, the clubs return to Toledo for Game 6 on Tuesday, June 10, with Game 7 (if needed) on Thursday, June 12.
Toledo Walleye
The Toledo Walleye, originally founded in 1991 as the Toledo Storm, have built a rich history in the league. Under the guidance of Head Coach Pat Mikesch—alongside Assistant Coaches Alden Hirschfeld, Brent Bain and Goaltender Coach Austin Keiser—the team has qualified for 24 postseason cup chases. Over the past four seasons, Toledo’s sustained excellence has also yielded a Central Division Championship.
This is their second ticket to the Finals this decade, the last being in the 2021-22 loss against Florida. The previous year’s Brabham Cup winners, the Kansas City Mavericks, beat the Toledo Walleye out in a six-game series with a 4-2 record. These two teams would have a rematch in the 2025 Western Conference finals, with the Toledo Walleye emerging victorious in a 4-1 series win. The AA hockey club is the NHL Affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings and the AHL affiliate of the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Trois-Rivières Lions
The Trois-Rivières Lions, founded in 2021 as only the second Canadian-based ECHL franchise, have quickly made their mark. Under Head Coach Ron Choules—supported by Assistant Coach Luc-Olivier Blain and Video Coach Adam Campbell—the Lions have reached the Kelly Cup Playoffs three times in their four seasons of operation. Although two of those appearances ended in first-round exits, this year marks their first trip to the Kelly Cup Finals.
In their second year, the 2022-2023 season, the Lions failed for the first time to qualify for the postseason playoffs since their inception. The 2024-25 season would see the Lions not only win the North Division Championship but also the Eastern Conference Championship. With these wins, fans would see the Lions ending the Florida Everblades‘ Eastern Conference and Kelly Cup dynasty in a 4-2 series win. The AA hockey club is the NHL Affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens and the AHL Laval Rockets.
Team Record – Toledo Walleye
The Walleye finished with a 44–28–0 record, leading the Central Conference. Nine of their losses came in overtime and two in shootouts, earning them 99 points and placing them fourth overall in the league.
Toledo has an outstanding team with Forwards: Brandon Hawkins, league MVP for the second year in a row, leading with 37 goals and 52 assists. Mitchell Lewandowski has 28 goals and 33 assists. Tyler Spezia has 25 goals and 32 assists. Sam Craggs has 21 goals and 26 assists, and Carson Bantle has 21 goals and eight assists. Defenseman: Jalen Smereck with eight goals, 38 assists. Colin Swoyer with two goals and 31 assists.. The Walleye entered the Kelly Cup Final with a 12-3 playoff record, losing the Central Division Final series Games 2 and 3 to the Fort Wayne Komets and the Western Conference Championship series Game 3.
Team Record – Trois-Rivières Lions
The Lions ranked third in the Eastern Conference with a 49-20 record, three of their losses occurring in overtime, and two in a shootout loss, garnering 98 points, ending the regular season fifth in the league behind two of their conference members the South Carolina Stingrays (2025 Brabham Champion), and the Florida Everblades (Kelly Cup Champions 2022, 2023, 2024).
The Lions have a powerhouse of a team with Forwards: Anthony Beauregard with 25 goals and 42 assists, Jakov Novak with 25 goals and 32 assists, Logan Nijhoff with 25 goals and 24 assists, and Morgan Adams-Moisan with 22 Goals and 16 assists. Xavier Cormier has 18 goals and 42 assists. Defensemen: Chris Jandric, 10 goals and 40 assists. Jacob Paquette had four goals and 17 assists, and Vincent Sevigny had four goals and 15 assists. Trois-Rivières heads into the Kelly Cup Final with a Playoff record of 12-4. Suffering losses in the North Division Finals against Norfolk Admirals in Games 2 and 4, as well as in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Florida Everblades in Games 3 and 4.
Team Comparison
Regular Season
These two teams didn’t reach this point by chance; both were driven by determination and the burning desire to dethrone the Florida Everblades dynasty. Statistically, they’re remarkably similar. In the regular season, Trois-Rivières outscored Toledo 251–234, while Toledo held a 4–3 edge in shootouts.
On special teams, Toledo posted a 25.1% power-play efficiency compared to Trois-Rivières’ 24.5%. Although the Lions scored fewer total power-play goals, they led the league in shorthanded tallies by an 8–5 margin. The largest gap appears in penalty killing: Trois-Rivières finished at 83.5%, just ahead of Toledo’s 82.7%.
Playoffs
These two clubs have navigated very different playoff paths, facing opponents of varying strengths. Toledo holds a 56–46 edge in goals scored. Unlike the regular season, the playoffs feature no shootouts—games continue with 20-minute sudden-death overtimes until someone scores, adding to the intensity and unpredictability.
Special teams have been a challenge for both squads. Toledo’s power play sits at 20.4%, compared to Trois-Rivières’ 16.4%. The Lions, however, lead in shorthanded goals, 3–2. On the penalty kill, Trois-Rivières shines at 79.6%, while Toledo checks in at 77.8%. Both teams will need to carefully manage penalties and emotions to maintain control. Toledo has accrued 170 penalty minutes so far, compared to Trois-Rivières’ 229.
Goaltending
Since the Conference Finals, Toledo’s goaltending duo of Jan Bednar and Carter Gylander has carried much of the heavy lifting. In the regular season, Bednar compiled a 23–14 record, facing 1,022 shots and posting a .914 save percentage while allowing 88 goals, resulting in a 2.34 goals against average. Gylander finished the year at 20–14, having stopped .907 of the 961 shots he faced and conceding 89 goals, for a 2.61 goals against average. Through the playoffs, Bednar has gone 6–2, facing 218 shots, maintaining a .908 save percentage, surrendering 20 goals, and sitting at a 2.52 GAA. Gylander has been equally strong, going 6–1, handling 193 shots with a .902 save percentage, allowing 19 goals, and recording a 2.59 GAA.
On the Trois-Rivières side, Luke Cavallin and Hunter Jones have emerged as key performers between the pipes. Cavallin finished the regular season 19–11, facing 927 shots and stopping .929 of them, allowing 66 goals for a 2.13 goals against average. Jones concluded at 15–11, having faced 824 shots and recorded a .905 save percentage while giving up 78 goals, which translated to a 2.87 GAA. In the playoffs, Cavallin—who has suited up for all but two games—holds an 11–4 record, has made 428 saves at an astonishing .944 clip, allowed 24 goals, and sports a 1.57 goals against average. Jones, meanwhile, is 1–1, having stopped 32 of the 33 shots he’s seen for a .970 save percentage, given up just one goal, and posted a 0.76 GAA.
Upcoming
This series promises everything a hockey fan could want: fast-paced action, physicality, and goal-scoring excitement. The Eastern Conference Final ultimately came down to a goaltending duel, while the Western Conference was defined by relentless offensive pressure in front of the net. Now, with both clubs drawing on deep postseason experience and unwavering determination, the Kelly Cup Final is set to deliver a spectacle for hockey fans everywhere.
Game 1 – Saturday, May 31 at 7:15 p.m. ET (Toledo)
Game 2 – Monday, June 2 at 7:15 p.m. ET (Toledo)
Game 3 – Wednesday, June 4 at 7:00 p.m. ET (Trois-Rivières)
Game 4 – Friday, June 6 at 7:00 p.m. ET (Trois-Rivières)
Game 5 – Saturday, June 7 at 3:00 p.m. ET (Trois-Rivières)*
Game 6 – Tuesday, June 10 at 7:15 p.m. ET (Toledo)*
Game 7 – Thursday, June 12 at 7:15 p.m. ET (Toledo)*
* = If necessary
ITR 43: It's Winning Time – Inside The Rink
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