PRINCETON, N.J. � Idaho is the 12th team in the past 16 years to take a 2-0 lead in the ECHL Finals. Eight of the previous 11 teams have gone on to the win the title, but only three recorded a victory in Game 3.
The Kelly Cup Finals move to Idaho for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday and Friday at 7:05 p.m. MT. The three teams that won Game 3 are the only teams in history to record a sweep in the ECHL Finals. Hampton Roads swept Louisville in four games in 1992, Charlotte swept Jacksonville in four games in 1996 and Greenville swept Dayton in four games in 2002.
The Steelheads are only the fourth team in league history to win the first two games on the road joining Louisiana (2000), South Carolina (2001) and Atlantic City (2003). Each of the previous three lost in Game 3 at home. South Carolina lost in double overtime in Game 3 to Trenton while Louisiana lost in double overtime in Game 3 to Peoria. South Carolina and Atlantic City went on to win the Kelly Cup in five games while Louisiana lost in six games to Peoria.
The last three champions � South Carolina (2001), Greenville (2002) and Atlantic City (2003) � all won the first two games in the Kelly Cup Finals. South Carolina beat Trenton in five games, Greenville swept Dayton in four games, and Atlantic City beat Columbia in five games.
Each of the eight teams that led 2-0 who went on to win the Kelly Cup did so in five games or less. The three teams that held a 2-0 lead but who did not win the title are Johnstown (1989), Wheeling (1993) and Louisiana (2000). Johnstown lost in seven games to Carolina, Wheeling lost in six games to Toledo and Louisiana lost in six games to Peoria.
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