The Petrolia Oiler Midget Reps are going to the Silver Stick finals after all.

The midgets fell short of claiming the  Regional Silver Stick ‘A’ division to Amherstburg over the Christmas break in Petrolia but have been invited to the Sarnia tournament anyway.

The Oilers made it to the final to their hometown tournament without a loss. But they came up against the defending ‘A’ champion Amherstburg Stars and lost Wednesday night 2-0 setting up Thursday’s do-or-die game.

The Oilers went into the dressing room at the end of the second down 2-0. They came out playing hard, but Amherstburg’s goalie made several good saves. With just one minute to play and an empty Petrolia net, Amherstburg scored putting the game out of reach.

But the tournament director of North American Silver Stick Finals, Mark Colborn says the Oilers have been invited to finals. “Petrolia went into the finals undefeated then Amherstburg knocked them off,” he says. “Amherstburg will not be at the finals because of (Ontario Minor Hockey Association) playoffs, so we want the next best team.”

The Oiler see action Jan. 17 against the Sarnia Sting MD at 11:45 am, Saturday against the Brampton 45s at 8:15 am, and the Collingwood Blackhawks Saturday at 5:45 pm. All the games are at the Mooretown Arena.