ECHL: Maine Mariners Clinch 2026 Kelly Cup Playoff Berth

Originally posted on Inside The Rink | By Chris Lavallee | Last updated Mar 29, 2026 10:11 PM ET

The Maine Mariners are back in the Kelly Cup Playoffs with their 6-0 win over the Greensboro Gargoyles and Trois-Rivières 33-2 loss to the Wichita Thunder. They are the second team in the North Division and the fifth team in the Eastern Conference to punch their ticket to the 2026 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Mariners missed the playoffs last season, this is their first appearance since 2024 when they lost to the Adirondack Thunder in the first round with that series going seven games. Last season snapped their streak of making the playoffs in three straight seasons but Maine has yet to make it out of the first round in their eight seasons in the ECHL.

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2025-2026 Maine Mariners

The Mariners are led by Brooklyn Kalmikov, who is up with the Providence Bruins. He leads the team in points and assists with 55 points and 36 assists. Max Andreev is the active leader in points and assists with 52 points and 34 assists. Jacob Hudson leads the team with 22 goals. Jaxon Bellamy leads the team in plus/minus with a +20.

Brad Arvanitis and Luke Cavallin have held their ground. Cavallin has been the number one, but when he’s been up with Providence in the AHL, Arvanitis has been locked in. Cavallin this season is 16-7-3 with a 2.23 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage, and four shutouts. Arvanitis this season is 20-9-3 with a 2.11 goals-against average, .930 save percentage, and three shutouts. This team is not a playoff team without its superb goaltending duo. Arvanitis is fourth in the league in goals-against average and third in save percentage. Cavallin is eighth in the league in goals-against average.

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This article first appeared on Inside The Rink and was syndicated with permission.

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