The Idaho Steelheads are heading to the Kelly Cup Final for the first time since 2010. The ECHL's regular-season champion beat the Toledo Walleye in five games in the Western Conference Finals to advance to the league's championship series.

Idaho earned a 5-1 win in Game 5 on the road to secure the Bruce Taylor Trophy, awarded to the Western Conference champions. 

After falling behind 1-0 early in the contest, the Steelheads rattled off four unanswered goals to chase Detroit Red Wings top goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa. 

The Steelheads’ offensive onslaught started with captain A.J. White scoring the tying goal at the 13:19 mark of the first period. Idaho goaltender Adam Scheel had one of his busiest periods of the series with Toledo peppering him with 18 shots, but he allowed nothing beyond the game-opening goal from Thomas Ebbing just 3:02 in the game. 

As the first period drew to a close, ECHL Defenseman of the Year Owen Headrick scored a massive goal with a blast from the top of the left faceoff circle that snuck through Cossa with just 1:26 to play in the opening frame. That gave the Steelheads a 2-1 lead and they never looked back.

🚨OWEN HEADRICK🚨
A ONE-TIMER gives the STEELHEADS a 2-1 lead at 18:34 in the first!!
🍏: Dmowski pic.twitter.com/336UGJtqzC

— Idaho Steelheads (@Steelheads) May 27, 2023

Jordan Kawaguchi added an insurance goal early in the second period when his breakaway attempt hit the post before deflecting off of Cossa’s skate and just over the line. Then Headrick, who entered the game with just one goal this postseason, added his second of the night, drilling a shot over Cossa’s right shoulder.

🚨JORDAN KAWAGUCHI🚨
GOAL at 6:17 in the 2nd makes it 3-1 IDAHO!!
🍏: White, Murphy pic.twitter.com/VY5eRFK6PH

— Idaho Steelheads (@Steelheads) May 28, 2023

That goal forced Toledo head coach Dan Watson to go to John Lethemon in net, but the deficit was too great to overcome. 

Patrick Kudla added another goal from the point, his first of the postseason, with Headrick nabbing his ECHL-leading 15th assist in the third period to cap the scoring.

Scheel finished the game with 22 saves on 23 shots, continuing what has been his best season as a professional goaltender.

The game and series ended with the customary handshakes as the Idaho Steelheads skated off with the win and the Bruce Taylor Trophy.

Idaho is seeking its first Kelly Cup title since 2007. A two-time ECHL champion, the Steelheads set league records this season with 58 wins, 119 points and an .826 points percentage. 

They'll await the winner of the Eastern Conference Final between the Newfoundland Growlers and defending Kelly Cup champion Florida Everblades. That series, which resumes Sunday, is currently tied 2-2.