Tahoe forward Patrick Newell jumps into the boards after scoring the game-winning goal in the final few minutes of the third period in Game 4 of the Knight Monsters’ first round playoff series against Wichita. Newell’s goal led to a Tahoe win and a four-game sweep over the Thunder.
Photo by Ron Harpin.
The Tahoe Knight Monsters continue their historic inaugural season, sweeping the Wichita Thunder in the first round of the ECHL’s Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Friday evening, Tahoe put the clamps on the series with a 3-2 win behind a late third period goal from Patrick Newell that broke a 2-2 tie.
With 2:44 left in regulation, Nate Kallen found Newell for the series-clinching goal.
It finished off a small comeback for Tahoe, which trailed 2-1, entering the third period.
Bear Hughes tied the game in the middle of the third period.
The Knight Monsters await the winner of the Kansas City Mavericks (49-18-4, 103 points) and the Tulsa Oilers (40-24-5, 88 points) in the second round.
Kansas City leads the series 3-2 with Game 6 taking place Monday night.
The Mavericks were the No. 1 team in the Western Conference in the regular season.
Tulsa won Game 5, 4-1, after falling behind 3-1 in the series.
Game 7, if necessary, is scheduled for Wednesday.
AROUND THE KELLY CUP PLAYOFFS
Alongside Tahoe, three other ECHL teams opened up their 2025 postseason with a first round sweep.
In the Western Conference’s Central Division the Toledo Walleye (No. 1 seed) swept the Indy Fuel (No. 4). Iowa (No. 3) currently leads Fort Wayne (No. 2), 3-2, in their series.
In the Eastern Conference, the Trois-Rivieres Lions (No. 1 North Division) took care of the Reading Royals (No. 4) in four games. The Norfolk Admirals (No. 3) are in front of the Wheeling Nailers (No. 2), 3-1, after four games.
Finally in the East’s South Division, the three-time defending Kelly Cup Champions the Florida Everblades (No. 2 seed) swept the Jacksonville Icemen (No. 3), 4-0. South Carolina (No. 1) leads Orlando (No. 4), 3-2, with Game 6 taking place Sunday evening.