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.

No Gold for the Olympic Network

Another day with three games of hockey to watch -- LIVE-- as I get ready for the big Saturday. Three Olympic men's hockey games and the AHL outdoor game. Yep, Binghamton Senators at Syracuse Crunch at 1 pm Eastern at the State Fairgrounds. (NHL Network will broadcast it.) Cannot wait. All this hockey is music to my ears.

*** Despite all the gripes and angst about the treatment of Olympic men's hockey on the mothership NBC, I am happy to have four flat screens in the office, all at my disposal, to watch the games as they move from right to left, and from CNBC to MSNBC with an assist from the USA Network.

But NBC? Garbage. The people on the "Today" show spend more time gushing about a figure skater or a skier than telling people what they missed last night. They just rehash what NBC already broadcast in prime time the previous evening.

This morning, when the rather annoying Hoda Kotb and Kathy Lee Gifford come on at 10 am Eastern to recap the Olympic events, its more about skating, which by 10 am means that the same has been said near the top of the hour starting at 7 am.

At one point, a correspondent for the "Today" show tried to talk about the Canada-Switzerland game (don't even ask them to update anyone about the late, late Slovakia victory over Russia), she was muted by the USA! USA! USA! cheering/commentary of Kotb and Gifford.

Note to self: "Today" show is yet another good argument for sleeping in.

*** Happy to see Ziggy Palffy back on the ice for Slovakia. It was a sad sight to see Ziggy at the Salt Lake Games, dressed in street clothes, because he was not cleared by the NHL to play in the early round games. The Los Angeles Kings allowed him to join his countrymen in Salt Lake City, but the league said no. No such sad sights this time as Ziggy is back on Olympic ice. Good for you, Ziggy.

*** If you are not on Twitter when the Canadian men's hockey team is playing, you are missing a great deal. Joy, angst, anger, bitter reflection and then more joy. All in 140 characters or less. I say you get on Twitter by Sunday. That's where the hockey conversation will be.

*** After the Czech Republic/Latvia game tonight, it will be time to get out for a cold one or two and some good tunes before heading home to catch the last 30 minutes of the Finland/Germany game. Looking forward to some hockey, hot and sour soup, live jazz, and more hockey.

I'll let Mr. Coltrane see you to the door.