Rochester struck early and often on Tuesday night, claiming Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals with a 5-1 victory over the Hershey Bears at Giant Center.

Malcolm Subban reached the AHL’s Eastern Conference Finals with the Providence Bruins six years ago. It has been a long journey back.

The Rochester Americans are heading to the conference finals for the first time in 19 years after completing a sweep of the Toronto Marlies with an 8-4 victory on Wednesday night.

Four goals in a span of 2:45 early in the second period propelled Rochester to a 7-4 victory over Toronto in Game 2 of the North Division finals at Coca-Cola Coliseum on Saturday afternoon.

Rochester scored twice on the power play and once shorthanded and took a 1-0 lead in the North Division finals with a 4-3 win at Toronto on Thursday evening.

The Rochester Americans completed a series comeback and wrapped up their North Division semifinal with a 5-4 overtime win at Syracuse in Game 5 on Saturday night.

With Jiri Kulich back in the lineup, the Rochester Americans have turned the tables in their series with Syracuse.

Rochester held serve for a second straight game, sending their North Division semifinal to the limit with a 4-0 win over Syracuse at Blue Cross Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Rochester scored five times in the third period, including four goals within the final five minutes, and got in the win column with an 8-5 victory over Syracuse in Game 3 of their North Division semifinal series on Friday night.

A dominant opening period was enough to lift the Syracuse Crunch to a 3-0 victory over the Rochester Americans on Saturday evening.