2005 Kelly Cup playoffs

The top eight teams in the conference qualified for the 2005 Kelly Cup playoffs, with the division champions seeded 1 and 2 and the remaining six teams seeded 3 through 8 based on points. The Conference quarterfinals featured a best-of-5 series with the higher seeds (1, 2, 3 and 4) versus the lower seeds (8, 7, 6 and 5). The Conference semifinals featured a best-of-5 series as well as a reseeding with the highest remaining seeds hosting the lowest remaining seeds. The Conference finals featured a best-of-seven series with the winner crowned the American Conference champion and granted a berth in the Kelly Cup Finals.

The top four teams in each of the North and West divisions qualified for the 2005 Kelly Cup playoffs. Each divisions' champion would be seeded first in the best-of-5 Division Semifinals hosting the fourth seed from their division, while the second seeds would play the third seeds. The winners of each Division semifinal would move on to the best-of-5 division finals. The winners of the two division finals play in a best-of-seven conference final. The winner of the conference final was crowned the National Conference champions and granted a berth in the Kelly Cup Finals

The Kelly Cup Finals will be a best-of-seven series between the two conference champions.

1. Pensacola Ice Pilots – South Division and American Conference champions; Brabham Cup winners, 107 points
2. Columbia Inferno – East Division champions, 88 points
3. Florida Everblades – 94 points
4. Gwinnett Gladiators – 88 points
5. Mississippi Sea Wolves – 87 points
6. South Carolina Stingrays – 87 points
7. Charlotte Checkers – 85 points
8. Greenville Grrrowl – 83 points

1. Reading Royals – 93 points
2. Trenton Titans – 93 points
3. Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies – 92 points
4. Toledo Storm – 87 points

1. Alaska Aces – National Conference regular season champions – 98 points
2. Long Beach Ice Dogs – 95 points
3. Idaho Steelheads – 91 points
4. Bakersfield Condors – 90 points