I love hockey, I love Finnish hockey, I love the captain of the Finnish hockey team, Saku Koivu.

When I was in Finland, I went to Saku’s hometown, Turku. When I got there, I wanted to find the arena where he had learned to play, and where his old team still played. So I went to a hockey store and asked for directions. The guy there told me it was way out in the middle of nowhere, and there was nothing going on there as it was the middle of July. I don’t care, I said, I came from Montreal and I want to see it. Ah, Montreal, Saku’s town, they said. So they gave me directions.

A customer overheard the exchange and told me he knew the Zamboni driver there, and maybe if he was there he could open up for me. He called his friend on his cell, and found out that Saku’s old team was having a closed practice that night, but that I could get in.

Very excited, I made my way to the deserted arena in the middle of nowhere that evening. The guy opened up and I sat and watched the practice, the only woman in the sparse audience of - I counted - eighteen. Eventually someone came and sat a few seats away in my row. I looked over. Hey, it’s Saku. When I regained consciousness, we chatted easily about all sorts of things, Montreal, his knee, my enjoying Finland, etc. I left after about twenty minutes, ran to a phone and told lightspeeddad all about it.

Six months after meeting Saku, I came back from Scandinavia, but because of my travelling and his injuries and illness, I never again got the chance to see him play live, until last night. And last night he scored his very first career hat trick, in addition to getting an assist. I love my life.

“La première étoile, the first star, SAKU KOIVU!!!!!!”