What a perfect way to start the New Year – an overtime victory.

The Nipissing Lakers men's hockey team came up big on home ice, erasing not one, not twice, but three deficits to come away with a thrilling 5-4 victory in the extra period.

Colin Campbell played the hero, scoring his second goal of the game midway through the five-minute sudden death frame to give Nipissing the bonus point.

Nipissing went about the victory the hard way, however, as they trailed 2-0 less than 10 minutes into the game.

They did manage to cut into that lead before the end of the first period, though, as Campbell scored his first of two on the power play.

Craig Campbell would tie the game in the second period, notching a power play goal as well.

Brock Morrison, Steve Deeg, Danny Desrochers and Nathan Glass all picked up helpers on the first two Lakers goals.

Laurier would once again grab the lead, scoring just over a minute after Campbell tied it.

And as they had already done, the Lakers fought back.

Morrison made it 3-3 late in the second frame and sent the teams to the intermission all even.

For a third time, the Golden Hawks would take the lead, but a goal by Dylan Staples just after the midway point of the third period tied the game at four and set up Campbell's heroics.

Set up by Chad Thibodeau and Morrison, Campbell gave Nipissing the victory and two points, as they continue to track down a playoff spot.

Morrison and Campbell each finished with three points and Domenic Graham made 30 saves, picking up the victory.

The Lakers will try to make it two in a row when they host the Waterloo Warriors Saturday night at 7:15pm at Memorial Gardens.