Queen’s overcame some scares at home to keep their early winning streak alive.

The Gaels beat the Brock Badgers 5-2 on Friday and pulled off a 5-4 victory over the Guelph Gryphons on Saturday. The two wins give Queen’s a 5-0-1 record and top spot in the OUA.

The Gaels received production from a large number of players, including a defence that combined for five goals and three assists in the two games.

“We do have some pretty mobile defence, so they have the green light in the appropriate time to jump in,” head coach Matt Holmberg said. “We want our [defence] to get involved and make good plays.”

Queen’s got on the board early in the first period against Brock when centre Shawna Griffin scored 1:56 into the game. Defender Mary Coughlin doubled the lead with a shorthanded goal three minutes later.

Brock cut the lead to 2-1 with an early second-period goal, but the Gaels took control of the game afterwards. Forwards Chantal Morais, Courtenay Jacklin and Morgan McHaffie each scored, while goaltender Mel Dodd-Maher stopped 15 shots.

Coughlin and defender Katie Duncan each scored twice in Saturday’s win over Guelph, erasing a pair of early deficits.

Late in the second period, Queen’s netted three goals in under two minutes, with Coughlin and Duncan scoring on separate power plays. Morais scored 47 seconds after Duncan to extend the Gaels’ lead to 5-2.

Queen’s gave up two goals in the third period, but prevented the Gryphons from tying the game. Goaltender Karissa Savage made 31 saves to claim the win.

Holmberg thought there was definite improvement between the two games.

“We weren’t on our game [against Brock], and I thought the team came back against a really strong opponent and played pretty well,” he said.

Coughlin was an unlikely offensive contributor with three goals over the two games — her first regular season markers for the Gaels.

“I’m glad to be contributing, especially in these past two games where they’ve been a little closer,” she said. “That’s a big step in the right direction for me.”

The Gaels will look to extend their winning streak on the road next weekend against the Laurier Golden Hawks and Waterloo Warriors.

The winner of Saturday’s game against the Golden Hawks will take sole possession of first place in the OUA.