Two torrid paced contests were the theme for the Bird Island men's hockey squad this weekend at the Litchfield Civic Arena and when it was over the local icemen found themselves with a 7-7 tie and a well played 6-4 loss to the Chicago Duffers. 
Bird Island's Jim Nelson highlighted the weekend as the lanky left winger came up with 3 goals, While the rest of the team all contributed their best effort into a truly memorable set of games.
Saturday's contest saw the score see-sawing constantly between the two teams, with Bird Island holding its only lead at one point, 5-4.  The fast skating Duffers however, took a 7-5 lead with 12 minutes remaining, then Jerry Weinzetl and Nelson Salvaged a tie with two late

goals.  Bob Friedlander, Wally Kraft and Paul Jankowski contributed goals to the Duffer cause.  The Duffers had several players in their 40s and a Chechoslovak refugee.
Sunday's game was a near  instant replay of the previous game, except both teams tightened a bit defensively, but plenty of roaring, wide open hockey ensued. The Duffers had a lead of 5-4 with less than a minute to play, when they got a break away goal to ice the victory.  "It was as satisfying a set of games as anyone could hope to play,"said Bob Bird .  "Both squads departed with good feelings and the satisfaction that they played well.  I guess any team that travels 800 miles deserves a win."

The Bird Island Men's Team will end the season for the hockey association next February 28 and 29 when they will take on the Chicago Duffer men's team, a squad which Coach Bob Bird once played for in 1973. The games were arranged between him and Bob Friedlander of Chicago.  The two games will be played at Litchfield Civic Arena.  The Duffer squad is traveling 800 miles just to play hockey and see a North Stars game.  Bird Island plans to use 9 old timers along with 5 graduating seniors from the high school squad.*

early in the second period to get the Duffers close.  Dough Graham knotted the score seconds later at 3-3.
The Duffers took the lead when the half ton of Beef came racing at the Decayed goalie.  Frank Presecky set up big Rick Dus for a slap shot that shook the Decayed goalie, Greg Lopatka pounced on the rebound and poked at it, just as Decayed owner Dick Glassford upended Greg.  When this furious action was over, both the Puck and the Decayed Goalie game to rest in the net.
Goalie Atchley woke up several minutes later and was declared fit to defend the Decayed net Wally Kraft M.D.(Medical Duffer).  The Decayed tried everything to get back into the game.   Decayed center Boris Pavichivich, who was acquired as a free agent from the Duffers before the game, put the puck in the net but the goal was disallowed when the referee ruled Boris threw the puck in with his hand. (You wouldn't expect that from a soccer player)
The Decayed didn't get discouraged, as they not only tied it up, but they took the lead on a power play goal., while Fred Bobka was serving the first Duffer penalty in their seven year history.
With the clock ticking down, Doug Graham  tied the game for the Duffers on a pass from Dennis Cross.
A tie is often equated to kissing your sister, this tie was more like kissing your good looking cousin.

An exhibition hockey game fit for the movie "Slapshot" came to pass Saturday night at the Downers Grove Icearena and could even produce a new replacement for Paul Newman in the film.  The Duffers, a menagerie of Downers grove hockey coaches and old timers, tied the opposing Decayed team , 5-5.
Goals by the Duffers were notched by Greg Lopatka (2) , South High Varsity Coach Geno Cromwell and Royal Pee Wee coach Doug Graham (2).
Duffers Tie Decayed

Saturday night 30 to 40 people packed the  Downers Grove Icearena to see the Duffers collide with the Decayed.  The fans were not disappointed, not one person asked for a refund. 
The Duffer half ton line started the scoring when 235 pound Rick Dus took a centering pass from Greg Lopatka and flipped it past Decayed goalie Herb Atchley.  This goal infuriated the Decayed as they came storming back with 3 unanswered goals to end the period at 3-1.
Geno Cromwell scored an unassisted goal