Gibbons scored the game-winning goal - his second goal of the weekend - on a set-up from Boston Leier after just 32 seconds of overtime as the Axemen won a wild one 7-6 at McCain Arena.
For the first 20 minutes, it looked like it would be a long evening for the Tommies as Acadia took a 5-1 lead into the dressing room after 20 minutes.
After spotting St. Thomas an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Rankyn Campbell, the Axemen exploded for five goals in the space of 13 minutes.
Liam Heelis made it 1-1 at 6:19, and Remi Giftopolous gave Acadia the lead at 10:53. Just 45 seconds later, at 11:38, Matt Pufahl made it a two-goal lead.
The Axemen weren't finished, either. Heelis scored his second of the game on the power play at 13:53, and Mke Cazzola made it 5-1 at 19:07.
The second period, as it turned out, was all St. Thomas, as the Tommies struck for three goals to close to within a goal at 5-4.
Zach Hodder scored at 4:24 on the power play, and Brendan Childerley made it 5-3 at 5:26, also on the power play. Hodder's second goal of the period, an even-strength marker at 9:33, drew the Tommies to within one.
It stayed 5-4 until Heelis completed his hat trick with an even-strength goal at 16:16 of the third, giving Acadia what appeared to be some breathing room.
The Tommies kept pushing, and were rewarded when J.C. Campagna scored at 17:45. A minute and a half later, with their goalie on the bench for an extra skater, Campagna struck again at 19:15, tying the score and forcing overtime.
Gibbons then scored on the first shot of the extra session to give Acadia the victory.
Heelis finished with three goals and two assists, while Pufahl had a goal and two assists. The Axemen ended up with a 47-38 edge in shots on goal.
The Axemen are next in action Oct. 22 when they visit St. F.X. to face the X-men in a 7 p.m. start.
