BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — The Idaho Steelheads begin their hopeful journey toward a third Kelly Cup, Wednesday, against the Utah Grizzlies.

Idaho's reason for hope? It's stellar regular season marks. The Steelheads finished on 58 wins and 119 points, not just the best mark in club history, but the best mark in league history.

The series, against Utah, is a best-of-seven series, beginning in Idaho. The Steelheads hold home ice throughout the entire playoffs. Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is Wednesday, April 19 at 7:10 p.m. in Idaho Central Arena.

Steelheads head coach and ECHL coach of the year, Everett Sheen, spoke about his expectations for the series. He noted the familiarity Idaho and Utah have with each other, coming into the series.

"Feeling good. Feeling excited. We've seen Utah quite a bit, 18 times," Sheen said. "We're quite familiar with them so it's more of just looking after our details of our game."

Captain and player assistant coach A.J. White also gave an interview; he spoke about the quality the Grizzlies possess.

"They have a lot of skill," White said. "They like to take their chances offensively which is why we need to be smart and detailed in our defensive zone. As long as we kind of make them play our game style and not try to play their game style, I think that's where we have our success."

Idaho hasn't played a playoff match since 2019. The Steelheads were on course to make the postseason in the 2019-20 season, but the season was abandoned due to the outbreak of Covid-19 which led to the league's cancellation of that season, and the one following.

After a losing record last season, the team has hit new levels with a combination of experienced players and new additions like Owen Headrick, who won ECHL Defenseman of the Year as a rookie.

White also credited some of the success to the fans, who have sold out Idaho Central Arena in 34 out of 36 games. Idaho Central Arena is on a 33-game sellout streak.

"We love playing in front of our fans," White said. "I heard there's quite a few tickets out already for the two games which is exciting. We'll get it rocking in here and use it to our advantage, for sure."

The team recently announced its roster for the postseason, which included players currently playing on the team's AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars, who are eligible to be recalled.

In goal, the Steelheads will start Adam Scheel. Scheel has 37 starts on the season, saving more than 93% of shots faced.

White spoke highly of his goalie, noting his impressive form over the past few months.

"We feel confident with whoever's in net. Adam Scheel's been incredible for us this year," White said. "Especially the last three months, he's been arguably the best goalie in the league."

The team is aware that there will be a target on their backs throughout the playoffs, due to the team's regular season success. When asked about it, White said that the team's been targeted for much of the season, tracing it back to a sweep over Worcester.

"I think coach Sheen said it the best. He kind of said we've had a target on our backs since earlier December when we went to Worcester, White said." They were the first-place team in the league and we swept them to become the first-place team in the league, and we've been ever since. So I think that's kind of our mindset. We know everybody's going to come and give us their best every night, and that's how it's been all year... so we just have to bring our best every night."

Games 1 and 2 in the series are in Boise, on April 19 and April 21 respectively. ECHL playoff series operate in a 2-3-2 format, meaning that the higher-ranked team plays at home for games 1 and 2, and potentially 6 and 7 should the series go that far.

Puck drop is at 7:10 p.m. For fans, that still want to attend, there are about 15 tickets left (as of 3:45 p.m. MT).

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