Hockey enthusiasts in Petrolia are waiting to hear if they’ll have a chance to claim the Hockeyville title.

Kraft awards the title to a community through a series of community votes. The prize includes $100,000 to upgrade the local arena and a preseason NHL game.

The nomination got a boost Saturday when the Sarnia Sting came to Petrolia to practice and skate with fans. Kraft officials were on hand and Ellsworth says they were impressed with the town’s bid. The representative “thought that we had a pretty strong nomination..she was here for both Silver Stick and Saturday for skate with the Sting.”

The town, working with Petrolia Minor Hockey submitted a nomination for the contest and was able to get 250 people to share their excitement in social media to meet the contest criteria.

“Now basically, we wait and they determine the top 10,” says Laurissa Ellsworth, director of marketing for the town.  That will be announced March 5. There will be one day of voting to determine the two finalist. Last year, Chatham-Kent was in the running for the prize losing out to Samich BC.

Ellsworth says the town is preparing to ramp up the campaign if Petrolia makes the top 10.

“The town is working together with minor hockey to come up with some great community activities to help boost the excitement,” says Ellsworth. “So when we have the 24-hour voting window if we get accepted into the top ten, we’ll get every body out there voting.”

Ellsworth adds if people use the hashtag #khv_petrolia2016 since it will help with the campaign.