With the end of their hockey season looming just 20 minutes away, the Queen’s Golden Gaels came to life Saturday night.

Two goals in the opening five minutes of the third period broke a scoreless tie, and sent the Gaels on their way to a 3-1 victory over the Laurentian Voyageurs in an Ontario University Athletics East division playoff game in Sudbury.

The victory enabled the Gaels to avoid elimination, and tie the best-of-three quarter-final series 1-1. The deciding game will be played Sunday night in Sudbury.

Queen’s began the game strong, outshooting the home team 16-7 in the first period, but both goaltenders, Kevin Bailie of the Gaels and Alain Valiquette of Laurentian, were perfect until Brett Foy scored for Queen’s in the game’s 43rd minute.

Less than three minutes later, Ryan Bloom, who assisted on the first goal, scored to give Queen’s a two-goal lead. Harrison Hendrix, in his first game in the lineup after sitting out seven, assisted on both goals.

Laurentian’s Darcy Haines scored at 12:35 of the third period but the Voyageurs couldn’t get the puck past Bailie again. An empty-net goal in the final minute by Kelly Jackson cemented the Queen’s win.

The Gaels outshot Laurentian 38-32.

Home cooking hasn’t agreed with either team in this series. Queen’s hasn’t lost in its three games in Sudbury since the Voyageurs rejoined the league last year; Laurentian won both of its games in Kingston this season.