Western Conference Finals Preview

#1 Allen Americans vs. #3 Fort Wayne KometsSeries Matchup Sheet

Allen returns to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since defeating the Komets in 2016 while Fort Wayne makes its third Conference Finals appearance in the last six years.

The Americans, who captured Kelly Cup titles in 2015 and 2016, defeated Utah 3 games to 0 in the Conference Semifinals and leads the postseason with 3.67 goals per game while ranking second with 2.00 goals-against per game. Brett Neumann is tied for third with three goals while Corey Mackin is tied for the postseason lead with four assists. Allen head coach Steve Martinson is third all-time in ECHL postseason history with 52 wins, trailing all-time leader John Brophy by three victories.

Fort Wayne, which previously reached the Western Conference Finals in 2016 and 2018, defeated Wichita 3 games to 2 in the opening round, capturing the series-clinching game in overtime. A.J. Jenks and Anthony Nellis both scored three goals in the opening round for Fort Wayne, and also share the team lead in points (four) with Matthew Boudens and Shane Harper. Dylan Ferguson is second with 135 saves and fifth with a .918 save percentage.

The two clubs did not meet in the 2020-21 regular season. In addition to Allen’s 4 games to 1 victory in the 2016 Western Conference Finals, the two teams have met three times in the regular season, with Fort Wayne winning each of those contests.

The winner of the Western Conference Finals receives the Bruce Taylor Trophy. The trophy is named in recognition of Bruce Taylor, who was the founding father of the West Coast Hockey League. In the early 1990s, Taylor purchased teams in Fresno, Reno and Bakersfield and in 1995 joined them with teams in Anchorage, Fairbanks and San Diego to form the West Coast Hockey League. The Taylor Cup was presented to the playoff champion in the WCHL from the league’s inaugural season in 1995-96 until the league ceased operations following the 2002-03 season. Taylor’s ownership in hockey began in 1983 with the purchase of the Burnaby Bluehawks of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League and continued with the purchase of the Richmond Sockeyes in the BCJHL and the New Westminster Royals in the BCJHL. 

Game 1 – Friday, June 18 at 7:05 p.m. CT at AllenGame 2 – Saturday, June 19 at 7:05 p.m. CT AllenGame 3 – Monday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Fort WayneGame 4 – Tuesday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Fort Wayne (If Necessary)Game 5 – Wednesday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Fort Wayne (If Necessary)