For the first time since 2022, there will be a new champion in the ECHL. The Trois-Rivières Lions defeated the three-time defending Kelly Cup champion Florida Everblades 6-0 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals to win the series and break the streak.

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Florida had not lost a postseason series since 2021, winning 14 consecutive series – an ECHL record that will take a very, very long time to equal. 

They met their match, however, in Trois-Rivières, which has enjoyed its best season in franchise history and will look to add a Kelly Cup to that ledger. They’ll meet the Toledo Walleye in the best-of-seven Kelly Cup Finals starting later this week.

NOUS SOMMES LES CHAMPIONS DE L'EST!!!😤🔥🔥#noTRemoment pic.twitter.com/iRVgzl5bCz

— xy - Lions de Trois-Rivières (@Lions3r) May 28, 2025

Both teams will be seeking their first Kelly Cup titles.

Trois-Rivières has been an offensive wagon this season, but it has been their stinginess in the postseason that has stood out. They’ve allowed just 26 goals in 16 games during the Kelly Cup Playoffs with goaltender Luke Cavallin posting a .944 save percentage in 15 appearances.

Two goals each from Tyler Hylland and Justin Ducharme in Game 6 helped put the game and series out of reach as Cavallin picked up his second shutout of the series and third of these playoffs.

Ducharme gets another!
Lions lead 2-0 👀@ECHL | @Lions3r #ECHL #KellyCup #LIONS3R pic.twitter.com/9JXAzRgDsL

— FloHockey (@FloHockey) May 28, 2025

Trois-Rivières’ trip to the finals comes in just their fourth season of existence, with 2024-25 looking like the year the team really turned the corner. With strong partnership between AHL affiliate Laval Rocket, which reached the Eastern Conference Final in the Calder Cup Playoffs, and a mix of solid ECHL veterans and some breakout performers, they always looked like a contender.

They finished the regular season with their best ever record with a 45-19-6-2 mark, and have now done the unthinkable in knocking off the ECHL’s most decorated team.

For Florida, it is disappointment in how the reign came to an end. They lost all three games they played on home ice in this series, as Trois-Rivières proved to be formidable road warriors this postseason.

Regardless of how it ended, Florida made substantial history. They had one of the very best runs any organization has ever had in professional hockey. They’re the first team in the history of the ECHL to win three straight Kelly Cups and no one will think for even a second that they won’t be in the mix again next year.

with love, the Florida Everblades 💚 pic.twitter.com/MtupjLBBZN

— x - Florida Everblades (@FL_Everblades) May 28, 2025

Nothing can last forever, but it certainly was fun while it lasted. Now the ECHL will prepare to crown a new champion.

The 2025 Kelly Cup Finals begin Saturday in Toledo.

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