ECHL Preview: April 4 Matchups Highlight Playoff Push

Brabham Cup race, Kelly Cup Playoff berths on the line as regular season winds down

Apr. 4, 2026 at 5:05am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an ECHL hockey game, with the players and arena setting broken down into overlapping planes of vibrant colors, capturing the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of the league's playoff push.The ECHL's April 4 slate of games features a mix of playoff positioning battles and a potential Brabham Cup clinching, showcasing the league's competitive intensity as the regular season winds down.Greenville Today

The ECHL regular season is winding down, with several key matchups on Saturday, April 4 that could impact the Brabham Cup race and Kelly Cup Playoff picture. The Maine Mariners look to extend their lead atop the standings, while the Trois-Rivières Lions, Indy Fuel, and South Carolina Stingrays aim to solidify their playoff positioning. Elsewhere, the Kansas City Mavericks can clinch the Brabham Cup title, and the Tahoe Knight Monsters have a chance to secure a postseason berth.

Why it matters

With the ECHL regular season nearing its conclusion, these April 4 matchups hold significant implications for the league's top teams and playoff contenders. The race for the Brabham Cup and Kelly Cup Playoff spots remains tight, making each game crucial as teams jockey for position heading into the postseason.

The details

The Maine Mariners, led by forward Jacob Perreault, visit the Trois-Rivières Lions, who boast defenseman Charles Martin among their top scorers. The Kalamazoo Wings take on the Indy Fuel, with Kalamazoo's Griffin Ness and Indy's Lee Lapid looking to lead their teams to victory. The Greenville Swamp Rabbits face off against the South Carolina Stingrays, with Patrick Polino and Anthony Rinaldi expected to play key roles. Elsewhere, the Kansas City Mavericks, paced by Bobo Carpenter's hot streak, can clinch the Brabham Cup title, while the Tahoe Knight Monsters have a chance to secure a playoff berth.

  • The ECHL regular season is winding down, with the April 4 games taking place.
  • Kansas City can clinch the Brabham Cup title on Saturday if they win, lose in overtime/shootout, or if Florida loses.
  • Tahoe can clinch a berth in the Kelly Cup Playoffs on Saturday if they win, Wichita loses in regulation, or Tahoe loses in overtime/shootout and Wichita loses.

The players

Jacob Perreault

A forward for the Maine Mariners who leads his team against the Trois-Rivières Lions.

Charles Martin

A defenseman for the Trois-Rivières Lions who is tied for second among ECHL defensemen with 12 goals.

Griffin Ness

A forward for the Kalamazoo Wings who has three goals in his last four games.

Lee Lapid

A forward for the Indy Fuel who leads his team against the Kalamazoo Wings with six goals.

Patrick Polino

A forward for the Greenville Swamp Rabbits who leads his team against the South Carolina Stingrays with 12 points (5g-7a).

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Brabham Cup race and Kelly Cup Playoff berths will continue to be decided in the final games of the ECHL regular season, with teams jockeying for position heading into the postseason.

The takeaway

The ECHL's April 4 matchups showcase the intensity of the league's playoff push, with top teams and individual players vying for crucial points and postseason positioning as the regular season winds down.