With just a few weeks remaining in the ECHL regular season, the race for the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs is at its most intense stage. Several teams are fighting to clinch their postseason berths, while others are still battling to keep their playoff hopes alive. With every point carrying massive implications, this weekend’s Triple Threat matchups highlight the teams that have the most to gain—and those on the brink of clinching or missing out entirely.
This weekend’s slate of games (March 21–23) features several must-win matchups, particularly in the North, Central, and Mountain Divisions. With teams on the verge of clinching playoff spots, and others running out of time to stay in the race, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Adding even more drama, several teams have crucial midweek games leading into the weekend that could reshape the playoff picture before some teams even hit the ice. Norfolk, Worcester, and Wichita are in strong positions, but they have not clinched yet, meaning this weekend could make or break their playoff push. Meanwhile, Cincinnati and Utah are dangerously close to elimination and must find ways to earn points or risk seeing their postseason dreams vanish.
Each of these matchups has the potential to dramatically shift the standings, determining which teams will secure their postseason dreams—and which ones will have to wait another year.
ECHL Teams That Have Clinched Playoff Spots
The race for the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs is heating up, and a few teams have already punched their tickets to the postseason. Here are the teams that have officially clinched their playoff spots:
In the North Division, Trois-Rivières has secured a playoff spot with 86 points.
In the South Division, South Carolina (91 points), Florida (88 points), and Jacksonville (82 points) have all clinched their places in the postseason.
In the Central Division, Toledo has locked in a playoff berth with 86 points.
In the Mountain Division, Kansas City has secured a spot with 83 points.
Top Three Must-Watch Playoff-Implication Games
Norfolk Admirals vs. Reading Royals
Series: March 21, 22, and 23
Norfolk sits at 72 points, and while they cannot officially clinch this weekend, they can put serious distance between themselves and the teams chasing them. If Norfolk earns at least four points, they will strengthen their grip on a playoff spot and potentially put Reading on the brink of elimination.
Meanwhile, Reading (62 points) is still alive, but their playoff hopes could take a major hit if they fail to pick up points this weekend. If Reading drops two or more games in this series, they will likely need a perfect finish to the season to sneak into the playoffs.
This is a true do-or-die moment for the Royals, while Norfolk has a chance to all but lock in their postseason berth with a strong showing.
Wichita Thunder vs. Rapid City Rush
Series: March 21, 22, and 23
The Mountain Division playoff race could take a major turn as Wichita (73 points) faces off against Rapid City (63 points) in a three-game series. If the Thunder secure victories in all three games in regulation, they would add six points to their total, reaching 79 points. Concurrently, if Idaho (67 points) struggles in their matchups and fails to earn points, the gap between the two teams would widen to 12 points. With only nine games remaining after the weekend, overcoming a 12-point deficit would be a significant challenge for Idaho.
Rapid City, on the other hand, must start winning now if they hope to force their way into the playoff picture. A strong weekend from Wichita would all but guarantee their place in the playoffs, while a couple of losses could keep Idaho and Rapid City alive for another week.
If Idaho loses their next game, Wichita’s path to clinching becomes even clearer. However, if Rapid City sweeps Wichita, the final playoff spot in the Mountain Division could be up for grabs.
Worcester Railers vs. Trois-Rivières Lions
Series: March 22 and 23
The North Division is still up for grabs, and Worcester (64 points) must keep winning to hold off Reading (62 points). Worcester does not control their own clinching fate yet but could make it nearly impossible for Reading to catch them with a strong weekend.
Trois-Rivières (86 points) has already secured their postseason spot, but Worcester cannot afford to drop points against them. If Worcester loses both games and Reading picks up wins, the North Division playoff race tightens significantly.
Worcester is in control of their playoff fate—for now—but this weekend could determine if they hold onto their spot or if Reading closes the gap.
Other Notable Games with Playoff Implications
Beyond the Triple Threat matchups, several other key games this weekend could shake up the standings or determine eliminations:
Wheeling Nailers vs. Toledo Walleye (March 21 & 22)
Wheeling and Toledo meet for a two-game set on March 21 and 22, with Wheeling (74 points, 2nd in the North Division) needing points to maintain their hold on a playoff spot. If Wheeling loses both games, they risk being overtaken by Norfolk (72 points), making this a crucial weekend to hold their ground. While Toledo (86 points, 1st in the Central Division) has already clinched, they remain focused on staying sharp for the postseason.
Kalamazoo Wings vs. Bloomington Bison (March 21) & Kalamazoo vs. Cincinnati Cyclones (March 22 & 23)
In the Central Division, the battle for a playoff spot continues as Bloomington (59 points) and Kalamazoo (59 points) compete to stay in contention. Meanwhile, Cincinnati (54 points) is dangerously close to elimination, and a loss to Indy on Friday could all but end their postseason hopes. If Bloomington and Kalamazoo capitalize on their matchups this weekend, Cincinnati’s slim playoff chances could disappear entirely.
Greenville Swamp Rabbits vs. South Carolina Stingrays (March 21) & Savannah Ghost Pirates (March 23)
Over in the South Division, Greenville and Savannah are in must-win situations to stay in the hunt. South Carolina (91 points) has already clinched, but their games this weekend against Greenville (54 points) and Savannah (58 points) could have major implications. If Greenville loses to Florida on Wednesday (March 19) and then falls to South Carolina on Friday, they could be eliminated before they even play Savannah on Sunday. Meanwhile, Savannah needs a strong weekend to keep pace with Orlando (76 points), the team currently holding the last playoff spot in the South.
Teams Facing Potential Elimination This Weekend
Several teams could be officially eliminated from playoff contention by Sunday:
- Adirondack (7th in the North, 46 points) → Needs to sweep Trois-Rivières and Maine just to stay alive.
- Cincinnati (7th in the Central, 54 points) → A loss to Indy on Friday could mean the end.
- Greenville (7th in the South, 54 points) → If they lose their next two games, they could be eliminated before Sunday.
- Utah (7th in the Mountain, 48 points) → A loss to Kansas City on Wednesday could all but seal their fate.
- Allen (8th in the Mountain, 38 points) → A loss to Idaho this weekend will mathematically eliminate them.
Biggest Playoff Implications for Teams Not Playing This Week
While several teams are idle this week, two teams could see major shifts in their playoff chances based on results elsewhere.
Idaho Steelheads (5th in Mountain, 67 points) → Biggest concern: If Wichita (73 points) and Rapid City (63 points) pick up wins, Idaho could fall even further behind in the race for the final playoff spot before they play again on March 27.
Atlanta Gladiators (6th in South, 59 points) → Playoff hopes on the line: With Greenville (54 points) and Savannah (58 points) playing this week, Atlanta could fall to 7th place without even playing. If both teams win, Atlanta’s playoff path becomes nearly impossible. Orlando must lose at least 6 of their final 8 games, earning 5 points or fewer (e.g., 2 wins and an OT loss or fewer) for Atlanta to have a chance to pass them. Even if Savannah and Greenville drop out, Atlanta still needs a near-perfect finish AND a major Orlando collapse to have a chance at stealing the final playoff spot. If Orlando picks up 6 or more points, Atlanta will be eliminated.
Make or Break: The Weekend That Could Decide the Playoff Race
With midweek games already setting the tone, this weekend will be pivotal. Teams like Norfolk, Reading, Iowa, Wichita, and Rapid City are battling for crucial positioning, while others like Adirondack, Cincinnati, and Utah are fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive. Meanwhile, Atlanta’s fate is no longer in its own hands—their playoff hopes now hinge on the results of other teams.
With everything on the line, this weekend will be a defining moment in the playoff race. Some teams will rise to the occasion and take a decisive step toward the postseason, while others may see their hopes slip away. The pressure is mounting, and every shift, every goal, and every point will make a difference.
By the time the final buzzer sounds on Sunday night, the ECHL playoff picture could be shaken up entirely—and for some, it may be too late to recover. Buckle up, because this is where the battle for the Kelly Cup truly begins.
Full List of Weekend Games
Friday, March 21
- Cincinnati at Indy – 7:00 PM EDT
- Norfolk at Reading – 7:00 PM EDT
- Adirondack at Trois-Rivières – 7:00 PM EDT
- Greenville at South Carolina – 7:05 PM EDT
- Worcester at Maine – 7:15 PM EDT
- Wheeling at Toledo – 7:15 PM EDT
- Florida at Savannah – 7:30 PM EDT
- Kalamazoo at Bloomington – 7:00 PM CDT
- Fort Wayne at Iowa – 7:00 PM CDT
- Utah at Kansas City – 7:05 PM CDT
- Tahoe at Tulsa – 7:05 PM CDT
- Wichita at Rapid City – 7:05 PM MDT
- Allen at Idaho – 7:10 PM MDT
Saturday, March 22
- Adirondack at Maine – 6:00 PM EDT
- Trois-Rivières at Worcester – 6:05 PM EDT
- Bloomington at Indy – 7:00 PM EDT
- Fort Wayne at Iowa – 6:00 PM CDT
- South Carolina at Jacksonville – 7:00 PM EDT
- Norfolk at Reading – 7:00 PM EDT
- Utah at Kansas City – 6:05 PM CDT
- Wheeling at Toledo – 7:15 PM EDT
- Kalamazoo at Cincinnati – 7:35 PM EDT
- Tahoe at Tulsa – 7:05 PM CDT
- Wichita at Rapid City – 7:05 PM MDT
- Allen at Idaho – 7:10 PM MDT
Sunday, March 23
- Kalamazoo at Cincinnati – 3:00 PM EDT
- Adirondack at Maine – 3:00 PM EDT
- Norfolk at Reading – 3:00 PM EDT
- Savannah at Greenville – 3:05 PM EDT
- Jacksonville at South Carolina – 3:05 PM EDT
- Trois-Rivières at Worcester – 3:05 PM EDT
- Wheeling at Indy – 4:00 PM EDT
- Fort Wayne at Iowa – 3:00 PM CDT
- Bloomington at Toledo – 5:15 PM EDT
- Wichita at Rapid City – 4:05 PM MDT
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