This Quarter's for You, Veronika

In a previous life, I was working in Southern California, trying to preach the Gospel of Puck to a somewhat skeptical crowd.

I managed to have a few allies in the newsroom, and I also will take credit for a few converts.

One day, I went to see the photo editor for any shots she could get for the NHL draft project I was working on. I mispronounced the name of a prospect and his hometown. Miroslav Satan. Veronika was quick to correct my mistakes, always polite and with a smile.

A Slovak who likes her hockey. You had to like that. For her kind work, I used to serenade her with the chorus of Elvis Costello's song whenever she entered the sports department. The rest of the lyrics, in this context, were not important. "Ver-ON-I-ca" was the message I wanted to get across.

Soon, I had others doing the same. Life is great when you can be a part of team play.

Well, I've long since moved from Southern California, and I don't know where Veronika is these days. But Slovakia is in the semifinals of the Olympic men's hockey tournament. The Czechs are going home. On Wednesday night, when you heard the call "Goooooooal, Slovakia," I heard "Veronica."

I imagine she's smiling now. I know I am.