TIMING REALLY IS EVERYTHING

Jamie Langenbrunner, who joined the U.S. men’s hockey team after Shawn McEachern was injured, had a tough call when he was asked to fly to Nagano.

His wife, Elizabeth, is due to give birth on Tuesday and he wanted to be with her. But he also didn’t want to miss this chance to play in the Olympics.

His wife made the choice easier by urging him to go. “She’s got her mother and some friends from the team with her who went through a Lamaze class,” said Langenbrunner, who plays for the Dallas Stars. “She wanted to make sure I had a chance to have this experience.”

And if she has the baby while he’s gone? “Hopefully, she’ll hold off,” he said.

HAS THIS NOTE BEEN SUBPOENAED?

Valentine’s Day brought out one interesting banner at Big Hat arena:

“Happy Valentine’s Day Monica, Love Bill.”

A WELCOME SIGHT IN ANY LANGUAGE

Also seen at Big Hat: a banner proclaiming, “Hej, Mamma.”

Which is Swedish for “Hi, Mom.”

Nice to know some things are universal.