Idaho claimed the Bruce Taylor Trophy as Western Conference Champions with a 4-1 series win over the Toledo Walleye to reach the finals for the fourth time and first since 2010. The 2022-23 Brabham Cup Champions (best regular season record), Idaho looks to add their third Kelly Cup (2004, 2007) to their trophy case.
Florida captured the E.A. “Bud” Gingher Trophy as Eastern Conference Champions with a 4-2 series win over the Newfoundland Growlers. The Everblades clinched the series following a double-overtime game-winner from John McCarron in game six on Tuesday night. It was his second double-overtime winner in that series. Florida makes its league record-tying sixth finals appearance, and second straight after claiming the Kelly Cup in 2022. The Everblades are also looking to claim their third ECHL championship.
This will mark the second time the two squads have met in the Kelly Cup Finals, with Idaho claiming a 4-1 series victory in the 2004 finals.
The two teams have not gone head-to-head in the 2022-23 season, with Florida holding a slight advantage in the series with a 2-1 record over the course of the last five seasons.
Idaho finished the regular season with a league-best record of 58-11-1-2 (119 points), while Florida’s 38-25-4-5 (85 points) ranked them fourth in the South Division and 11th in the Eastern Conference to end the regular season.
The Steelheads will have home ice advantage in the best-of-seven series, having potentially four home games.
The 2023 Kelly Cup Finals will open in Boise, Idaho on Saturday, June 3. Game two takes place the following day before the series shifts to Estero, Florida on Wednesday, June 7.
Named in recognition of Patrick J. Kelly, one of the founding fathers of the ECHL. Kelly served as Commissioner of the ECHL for the first eight seasons before being named Commissioner Emeritus in 1996, a title which he continues to hold. Upon his retirement as Commissioner, the ECHL retired the previous championship trophy, the Jack Riley Cup, and introduced the Patrick J. Kelly Cup, which he awards to the champion each season.
2023 Kelly Cup Finals Schedule
Game 1 – Saturday, June 3 at 7:10 p.m. MT at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho
Game 2 – Sunday, June 4 at 4:10 p.m. MT at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho
Game 3 – Wednesday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida
Game 4 – Friday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida
Game 5 – Saturday, June 10 at 7:00 p.m. ET at Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida *
Game 6 – Tuesday, June 13 at 7:10 p.m. MT at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho *
Game 7 – Wednesday, June 14 at 7:10 p.m. MT at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho*
* – If Necessary
Contact the writer: John.Hall@prohockeynews.com
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