Welcome to

Happy Festivuis

We celebrated Festivus at Tom and Erica's house on the Czar's Birthday! Pictured above is Robin and Tom Ambrosia and Gabe Smith. 

 

 Great Tee Shirts thanks to Monet Mike.

Bus left Yorktown on Saturday, February 13 at 9:20 and arrived at the Livonia Marriott at 3:00. That evening we watched a very exciting game between U-17 USA team and team Russia.  Sunday Morning we played a Duffer Game in the USA rink before going to watch the Redwings beat Boston 6-5. Monday Morning, we played another Duffer game in the Joe Louis Arena and then we watched USA play the All Stars from the NAHL Hockey League. We had very little time to get in trouble.  We were back at Yorktown Mall at 1:00 on Tuesday afternoon.

Detroit 2016 (page 1)

Detroit 2015 Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

Ann Arbor 2014 Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

Columbus 2012 Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

Pittsburgh 2011 Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

 Nashville 2010 Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

 

 

Duffer News

Snowman Dan Freezes the Reds!

Romeoville, IL February 19, 2016  Attendance: ?
GZ and Terry were our MVPs)

The Game:

Thanks to Jimmy Bones and Dan "The Snowman" Smith for stepping up to play goalie. T&A gave Dan the Snowman nickname in Detroit when we needed ice for the beer. Dan used the knowledge he gained while getting his Civil Engineering Degree at Bradley and told T&A to use snow. That kept

See Amber's thank you note.

the trip under budget. Dan almost had a shutout. It was late in the 3rd period before the Reds O'Connor scored a goal. Dan picked up the 5-3 win.

Red goals came from TO (assist to Thomas) and Guest Ryan Red Ryder Rodriguez. 
White Goals came from. Rags, Tommy Z and a Hat Trick from Bill BTW.

Jimmy Bones was solid in net for the Reds.  Holding a team to five goals is usually enough to get a Duffer win, but Dan "The Snowman" Smith played like a NHL Allstar. The Czar and Tommy Z were impressed with his performance

Whites -5 and Reds -2


My body felt great after playing 4 games in 8 days, even after a fall.  TZ tried to avoid me in his rush up ice and he bumped me off balance. I made a soft landing and Tom slammed on the brakes to help me up. What a great group of guys! Only in a Duffer game would that happen. We are truly blessed for being able to play with this group. Our Passion for the game was evident to the Executive Assistant of the Detroit Red Wings when she watched us play in the Joe

Good afternoon,
I wanted to say thank very much for the very sweet card and the gift of money. I look forward to you guys joining us every year and I hope everyone had a memorable trip to the D!
I watched you guys skate and play a game and it warmed my heart that your group is so passionate about the game of hockey and your life long friendships!!

Stay in touch,
Kim Brodie
Executive Assistant | Detroit Red Wings

Continued on Page 2

Duffers tour the Redwing Locker Room.

Page 2
Good Morning Greg,
I just wanted to send a Thank You to you and the Duffers for the shirt and generous thank you card! I absolutely love the shirt and naturally the boys in the office were jealous of it!
I hope you had another wonderful trip and will do so one last time during the Farewell Season at the Joe! We would love to have you back!
Keep in touch and let me know if I can help with anything!

Thank you,
Amber     

Amber and Beak

That is a very tempting offer from Amber.  That was our cheapest Bus trip ever.  Total trip cost for guys that shared a room was about $400.  My grandsons paid about $300 with 5 guys sharing a room.  They want to thank Red Rider for sleeping on the floor. 

Greg,
I want to thank you for including me in this once in a life time opportunity. You're a good man.
Thank you again.
Go Wings!
Richie Morris (Perry's Texas Friend)


I am still looking for more memorable moments from the trip. I posted more pictures and the comments that came in last week. Thanks for the kind words.

http://www.lopatka.net/2016-02-19/index.html

I put the contents of the Duffer Calendar below for Smart Phone readers who can't find the Duffer Calendar on page 1.

Duffer Calendar
 No Ice on March 4, 2016
USA Vs. Steel March 11, 7:30 @ Fox Valley Ice Rink
USA Vs. Steel March 12, 7:00 @ Fox Valley Ice Rink
No Ice on April 8, 2016

I would like to get a big turnout of Duffers for the March 12th Saturday game in the Fox Valley Ice Rink.  We owe Donny for making our trip a memorable event. 

Go to the Last Duffer News

Go to Duffer History   Duffer Nicknames

Wags Hockey

  Alphabetical Nicknames

Classic Duffer News

Go to Lake Placid News for some laughs.

http://www.lopatka.net/1982-Lake%20Placid/index.html

1996 March Hayward Trip  We saw Comet Hyakutake

December 6, 1996  Duffer news #85

December 15, 1996  Duffer news #86

December 20, 1996  Duffer news #87

Go to 10/25/96

Go to 9/6/96

January 12, 1996  Duffer news #50

 

Go to 2012 The Last MLF Game

Go to 2011 MLF Game

(Anvil's Daughter won it!)

Go to 2010 The First MLF Game

Visit The Rampage Women's Hockey Team web site at: http://www.rampagehockey.org/index.cfm

They Have 2 WODs and  on their team. Their DOD moved to Canada for Graduate School.

WOD=Wife Of a Duffer, DOD = Daughter of a Duffer

Links to Duffer Hockey Newsletters

2008-2010 Stats page

Tweedy's Wags Game

Links to 2016

Links to 2015

Links to 2014

Links to 2013

Links to 2012

Links to 2011

Links to 2010

Links to 2009

Links to 2008

Links to 2007

Links to 2006

Links to 2005

Links to 2004

Links to 2003

Links to 2002

Links to 2001

Links to 2000

Links to 1999

Links to 1994

Bar-toons

Peoria History

Nashville Game 2

Bill Gaston interview

Michelle Spillman hits and fields

      

To E-mail the Duffer News Web master, just click here! g.lopatka@comcast.net

You can e-mail History updates to Beak. 

Duffer Nicknames

Duffer road trips

website counter  

 

Opened Monday May 11, 2015

 
Plainfield's newest tattoo and piercing studio with over 20 years experience! We are located in the Lincoln Plaza in the same strip next door to the comics.
 

16030 S. Lincoln Highway Unit 106 (Lincoln Plaza/same strip as comics)

Plainfield, Illinois
(779) 234-6420
http://www.boundlesstatto

Mike won 11 awards for his artistic creations at the Tattoo convention in Champaign.

mikeylotattoos@att.net

(Above) Mike's work of art on Joe Mazzarella III's leg.

(Above) Mike's work of art on Joe Mazzarella III's ribs.

Ann Arbor Music DVDs are ready to ship.  $10 includes shipping and handling. you can also get classic copies of:

 

You may find the following links useful:

Ben Oskroba's First professional goal for the Peoria Rivermen

Drago's Hockey Lessons

Here is a video, thanks to Perry and Paula on How to be a Hockey Player 

 

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Michelle Spillman

Michelle Spillman 10-31-10

Michelle hits a 2 run home run for Romeoville High School in a 3-0 victory against Joliet Catholic Academy.

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JC-Homerun.MOV

Michelle Spillman hit a 2 run Home run to beat Joliet Catholic on April 18, 2012. ... greg Lopatka ... Michelle Spillman and Romeoville High School. ...

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Highland Park-Homerun.MOV

Michelle Spillman hit her 4th homerun on April 21, 2012 to beat Hershey High. ... greg Lopatka ... Michelle Spillman "outdoor sports" ...

 

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Michelle3Base hit.MOV

Michelle hit a triple to help beat Highland Park High 8-5 on 4/21/2012.

 

Patrick Kane Stickhandling:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REAqCB9vfbU

Brandon Bollig Stickhandling:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3B8v_ZHA10