A five-goal third period led Queen's Women's Hockey past the Laurier Golden Hawks 5-2 Friday night in Waterloo, Ont.

In their first game back from the winter break, the Gaels exploded for five goals in the final frame on their way to a three-goal win on the road over Laurier.

The Golden Hawks opened the scoring in the first period and after a scoreless second period, held a one-goal lead into the third period.

Back-to-back goals by Alyson Reeves early in the third period gave the Gaels a 2-1 lead before Scout Watkins-Southward added to the lead midway through the frame.

Laurier cut Queen's lead to one-goal minutes later before two late goals for the Gaels cemented the win. Sarah Campbell scored a shorthanded goal with less than two minutes to play before Quinn Johnston put the game away with the Queen's fifth of the game with less than a minute to play.

Along with Reeves, Campbell  and Johnston also both finished with two-point nights, picking up assists in the win.

Sophie Hudson, Rebecca Thompson, and Kelsey Dunn also recorded assists in the win for Queen's.

Vanessa Campeau recorded 26 saves for Queen's in the win.

With the win, the Gaels improved their record to 3-5-4-3 on the season and moved to third place in the OUA East Division. Queen's will close out their weekend doubleheader against the Waterloo Warriors on Saturday, Jan. 7 at 2:30 p.m. 

OUA Women's Hockey team records are recorded as follows: Regulation Wins-Regulation Losses-OT/SO Wins-OT/SO Losses. Teams earn three points for regulation wins, two points for OT/SO wins, one point for OT/SO losses, and no points for regulation losses.