It’s seventh heaven tonight in the ECHL.  For the first time in ECHL history, both Conference Finals require Game 7s to determine which teams will move on to the Kelly Cup Finals.  Both those Game 7s are happening tonight. 

Eastern Conference Final

South Carolina Stingrays at Toledo Walleye – 7:35pm EDT

Referees: Pierre Lambert, Stephen Reneau

Linesmen:  Pat Richardson, Francois Dussureault

 

Western Conference Final

Ontario Reign at Allen Americans – 8:05pm EDT

Referees: Fred Leblanc, Ryan Murphy 

Linesmen: Shaun Morgan, Ryan Daisy

 

Tonight’s games are available online via ECHL.tv.

With tonight’s games, the 2015 Kelly Cup Playoffs will set a league-record with seven Game 7s this postseason. Home teams have won 72% of Game 7s (21-8) in ECHL history.  

More on tonight’s games from the ECHL:

Toledo becomes the first team in ECHL history to play three Game 7s in a single postseason. The Walleye defeated Wheeling 2-1 in overtime of Game 7 in the North Division Semifinals before defeating Fort Wayne 5-2 in Game 7 in the North Division Finals. Toledo lost the first three games in the Eastern Conference Finals before rallying to force tonight’s deciding game, becoming just the third team in League history to force a Game 7 after losing the first three games. 

South Carolina is playing its second Game 7 in the 2015 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Stingrays scored three goals in the third period to rally from a 2-0 deficit and defeat Reading 3-2 in Game 7 of the East Division Semifinals. South Carolina is 2-0 all-time in Game 7, also defeating Alaska in the 2009 Kelly Cup Finals.

Each of the first six games in the Eastern Conference Finals has been decided by one goal, with three of the last four games going to overtime.

In the Western Conference Finals, Allen has won the last two games to force tonight’s deciding game. It is the Americans first-ever Game 7 in the Kelly Cup Playoffs while Ontario is playing its second Game 7 this season, and third all-time. The Reign defeated Colorado 4-2 in Game 7 of the Pacific Division Semifinals on April 28. Ontario lost to Stockton in Game 7 in the 2009 Pacific Division Semifinals.

Good luck to the teams — and to the officials — on this historic night for the ECHL!