Jordan Mirwaldt is making up for lost time.

After missing the entire first semester with a broken foot, the winger has seven points in five games. He recorded two goals and an assist during the men’s hockey team’s 4-1 win over the Royal Military College Paladins on Wednesday.

Mirwaldt’s first goal of the night — the game-winner — came on a power-play in the second period. His second was a stunning end-to-end rush, ending in a top-corner wrist shot.

“First couple games, you’re a little bit sluggish,” Mirwaldt said. “But last couple games, I’ve been finding my stride and feeling pretty good out there.”

Wednesday’s win was the Gaels’ eighth consecutive victory over their cross-town rivals. The Constantine Arena, the Paladins’ home rink, is abnormally small and doesn’t give the players a lot of space to be creative — resulting in a reliance on physical play. The two teams combined for 15 penalties on Wednesday.

“It’s an intense rivalry. They really want to beat us every time we’re here,” Gaels coach Brett Gibson said. “[I’m] glad it’s over.”

Captain Jon Lawrance has been playing against the Paladins since 2007. He said the matchups are more competitive and aggressive than other OUA games.

“It’s partly the fact that you kind of know the guys and see them around town sometimes,” he said.

Forward David Chubb and defenceman Stephane Chabot also scored for the Gaels.

Wednesday’s game was a preview for the Carr-Harris Cup — an annual matchup between the two teams scheduled at the K-Rock Centre on Feb. 2. The game was created in 1986 by the International Hockey Hall of Fame to mark the 100-year anniversary of the first Queen’s-RMC game in 1886.

“There’s always those bragging rights that come with [the Carr-Harris Cup],” Lawrance said. “But I don’t think we’ve ever lost in the four years I’ve been here.”

The Gaels will stay in town this weekend to host the Nipissing Lakers on Friday and the University of Toronto Varsity Blues on Saturday. Both games start at 7:30 p.m. at the Memorial Centre.

— With files from Kirstyn Hevey