Three spots in the Division Finals round of the 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs are on the line tonight in three Game 7s. It marks the second time in ECHL history - joining April 29, 2015 - that three Game 7's take place on the same day. The games mark the 47th, 48th and 49th Game 7's in ECHL postseason history.
In the North Division Semifinals, Trois-Rivières has won the last two games to force a decisive game at Newfoundland. The Lions are the 16th team in ECHL history to force a seventh game after trailing in a series 1-3. Seven of the previous 15 teams to have forced a Game 7 in that situation won the series. Trois-Rivières is also looking to join Wheeling from the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals against South Carolina as the only team to ever win Games 6 and 7 of a best-of-seven series on the road. Tonight is the first Game 7 in both team's histories.
Both spots in the Central Division Finals will be decided tonight with Toledo hosting Cincinnati and Fort Wayne taking on Wheeling.
Toledo will be playing in a Game 7 for the seventh time in team history, and for the sixth time at home. The Walleye are 4-2 all-time in Game 7 apperances, and picked up a victory in the last ECHL Game 7 at Tulsa in the 2019 Western Conference Finals. Cincinnati is playing in a seventh game for the eighth time in team history, going 4-3 in their previous Game 7 appearances.
In the other Central Division Semifinals series, Fort Wayne is playing in a Game 7 for the fourth time, and the second time on home ice. The Komets are 1-2 overall in their previous Game 7s, picking up a win in their only prior decisive game at home, defeating Cincinnati in the 2016 Western Conference Quarterfinals. Tonight is the sixth Game 7 in Wheeling's team history, with the Nailers bringing a 3-2 record into the contest, including 2-2 on the road. Four of Wheeling's previous five Game 7's have been decided in overtime.
The home team is 32-14 all-time in ECHL Game 7s and has won 19 of the last 26. Ten Game 7s have gone beyond regulation, with four being decided in two overtimes and one in three overtimes. The home team has won eight of the 10 games decided in overtime.
Game 7s in ECHL History
DATE | TEAMS | ROUND |
May 22, 2019 | TOLEDO 6 at Tulsa 2 | CF |
April 24, 2019 | Kansas City 2 at TULSA 6 | DSF |
June 9, 2018 | COLORADO 3 at Florida 2 | KCF |
May 23, 2018 | Fort Wayne 3 at COLORADO 4 (OT) | CF |
April 25, 2018 | Allen 1 at IDAHO 4 | DSF |
May 24, 2017 | SOUTH CAROLINA 4 at Manchester 3 | CF |
April 26, 2017 | Orlando 4 at FLORIDA 7 | DSF |
April 25, 2017 | Kalamazoo 1 at TOLEDO 3 | DSF |
May 24, 2016 | WHEELING 5 at South Carolina 2 | CF |
May 11, 2016 | Adirondack 2 at SOUTH CAROLINA 3 (2 OT) | CSF |
May 11, 2016 | Reading 3 at WHEELING 4 (OT) | CSF |
April 27, 2016 | Idaho 2 at ALLEN 3 (OT) | CQF |
April 27, 2016 | Cincinnati 0 at FORT WAYNE 2 | CQF |
April 26, 2016 | READING 4 at Toledo 1 | CQF |
June 14, 2015 | South Carolina 1 at ALLEN 6 | KCF |
May 27, 2015 | SOUTH CAROLINA 1 at Toledo 0 (3 OT) | CF |
May 27, 2015 | Ontario 1 at ALLEN 3 | CF |
May 13, 2015 | Fort Wayne 2 at TOLEDO 5 | DF |
April 29, 2015 | Quad City 1 at RAPID CITY 2 | DSF |
April 29, 2015 | Wheeling 1 at TOLEDO 2 (OT) | DSF |
April 29, 2015 | Reading 2 at SOUTH CAROLINA 3 | DSF |
April 28, 2015 | Colorado 2 at ONTARIO 4 | DSF |
May 1, 2013 | Florida 1 at READING 4 | CSF |
April 14, 2013 | Las Vegas 4 at STOCKTON 6 | CQF |
April 27, 2011 | WHEELING 4 at Greenville 3 (OT) | CSF |
May 12, 2010 | Reading 0 at CINCINNATI 1 | CF |
April 28, 2010 | CINCINNATI 2 at Charlotte 1 | CSF |
June 5, 2009 | SOUTH CAROLINA 4 at Alaska 2 | KCF |
May 6, 2009 | Stockton 1 at LAS VEGAS 5 | DF |
April 22, 2009 | STOCKTON 5 at Ontario 4 | DSF |
April 22, 2009 | Bakersfield 1 at LAS VEGAS 5 | DSF |
April 21, 2009 | ELMIRA 5 at Trenton 3 | DSF |
April 20, 2009 | Wheeling 1 at CINCINNATI 2 (2 OT) | DSF |
May 5, 2008 | Reading 1 at CINCINNATI 6 | DF |
May 18, 2007 | DAYTON 3 at Florida 1 | CF |
May 3, 2007 | Cincinnati 3 at DAYTON 5 | DF |
May 22, 2006 | Fresno 2 at ALASKA 3 (2 OT) | CF |
May 6, 2006 | Bakersfield 2 at FRESNO 4 | DF |
April 22, 2006 | Long Beach 3 at BAKERSFIELD 4 | DSF |
April 19, 2006 | Idaho 2 at LAS VEGAS 6 | DSF |
May 16, 2005 | TRENTON 2 at Alaska 0 | CF |
May 3, 2003 | Cincinnati 2 at ATLANTIC CITY 3 | CF |
May 13, 2001 | Peoria 3 at TRENTON 4 | CF |
May 30, 1999 | Richmond 3 at MISSISSIPPI 4 (2 OT) | KCF |
March 31, 1992 | Roanoke Valley 2 at GREENSBORO 6 | 1st |
April 12, 1989 | CAROLINA 7 at Johnstown 4 | RCF |