Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Nipissing Lakers women's hockey team picked up right where they left off before the pre-Christmas break.

After going 5-1-0 in the first semester, the Lakers began the second half of the season with a pair of convincing wins on home ice, defeating the Queen's Gaels 6-2 and 4-1.

With the victories, the Lakers improve to 7-1-0, sitting behind only Toronto in the OUA standings.

On Friday night, the Lakers built up a 4-0 lead early in the game as they cruised to the win, led by their veterans.

Four first period goals by Nipissing gave them all the offence they would need.

Marilyn Fortin and Katelyn Heppner scored before the 10-minute mark, while sisters Maria and Malory Dominico scored in the second half of the period to give the Lakers the big cushion.

Ashley Taciuk, Allison Hayhurst, Brianna Gaffney, Madison Laberge and Maggie McKee all grabbed assists in the opening period outburst.

The teams traded goals in both the second and third periods.

Queen's got on the board early in the second, but Katie Chomiak answered late to regain the team's four goal lead as the game headed into the third period.

Heppner buried her second of the game early on, set up by Maria Dominico and Gaffney and while the Gaels scored a power play marker late, the game was well in hand at that point.

Chantelle Sandquist finished with 16 saves for the win, while the Lakers fired 41 shots at the Gaels net.

Saturday's victory was a bit closer than Friday, but wasn't in question.

Despite the Gaels scoring first, the Lakers took control and flew to another win.

A goal just shy of the five-minute mark in the opening period put the Lakers behind, but Malory Dominco would draw Nipissing even with about five minutes left in the opening frame.

Laberge and Chomiak added to their weekend point totals with helpers.

Making her return to the Lakers for a second half push, Jetta Derenoski scored early in the second, setup by McKee.

The goal would stand up as the game-winner, as the Lakers would add two more in the third.

Heppner scored her third of the weekend, with McKee and Laberge picking up their second assists of the game and Gaffney would cap things off with an empty-netter late in the third.

Chloe Marhsall got the nod in net, making 26 saves for the victory, while Nipissing once again peppered the Queen's net, firing 38 shots on goal.

Up next, the Lakers hit the road for a pair of mid-week games.

Wednesday, they'll face Toronto in a showdown of the top two teams in the league, before capping off the trip with a game against Ontario Tech Thursday in Oshawa.