KC Mavericks advance to ECHL Kelly Cup finals, ousting Fort Wayne Komets: schedule

The Kansas City Mavericks minor-league hockey team is one step away from their foremost goal: winning the Kelly Cup.

The top prize in the ECHL will be up for grabs starting Friday after the Mavericks on Tuesday succeeded in eliminating the Fort Wayne Komets four games to two in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals.

The Mavericks’ clincher against Fort Wayne came in Game 6 at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, where Kansas City beat the Komets 4-3 in overtime.

That means the Mavericks will play the Florida Everblades in the Kelly Cup finals — again. The Everblades, based in Estero, Florida, beat the Wheeling Nailers four games to one in the ECHL’s Eastern Conference finals.

The Mavericks and Everblades played for the ECHL championship in the 2024 Kelly Cup finals, with the Everblades winning four games to one.

Mavericks forward Justin Janicke scored twice in regulation on Tuesday against Fort Wayne; the Mavericks led 2-0 through two periods. Jakov Novak added a goal early in the third to make it 3-0 and KC looked to be in good shape.

Ah, but Fort Wayne score three times in the third period, netting the game-tying goal with six seconds left to force OT. Novak scored the game-winner 1:04 into the extra period.

Kelly Cup finals 2026: schedule

All times shown in Central Time

Game 1: Friday, June 5 at 7:05 p.m. at Cable Dahmer Arena

Game 2: Saturday, June 6 at 6:05 p.m. at Cable Dahmer Arena

Game 3: Wednesday, June 10 at 6:30 p.m. in Estero, Florida

Game 4: Friday, June 12 at 6:30 p.m. in Estero, Florida

Game 5: Saturday, June 13 at 6 p.m. in Estero, Florida*

Game 6: Monday, June 15 at 7:05 p.m. at Cable Dahmer Arena*

Game 7: Wednesday, June 17 at 7:05 p.m. at Cable Dahmer Arena*

* – if necessary