The difference can also be seen in the results trend.
Four years ago in Beijing, Tre Kronor's women took the last quarter-final spot, after two wins and two losses in the group stage, and then suffered a crushing 0–11 loss to Canada in the quarterfinals.
In the ongoing Olympics in Milan, the Swedes won their group after four straight victories and thus face a much more manageable task in the quarterfinals, where the Czech Republic awaits.
Can break the curse
It's a chance to break the quarter-final curse for Tre Kronor, who have not managed to reach the semi-finals in a championship (Olympic Games and World Championships) since the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
The last Olympic medal was the silver in Turin in 2006; the last World Cup medal was the bronze in 2007.
Four years ago in Beijing, goalie Emma Söderberg and forward Sara Hjalmarsson were college players. Now Sweden has a total of four players in the PWHL and 22 players in college, seven of them on the Olympic squad.
Even more players are needed in the PWHL, which expanded from six to eight teams this season, and there are rumors of four more teams next season.
For me, having the chance to play on a daily basis, where I play with and against the best players in the world, has developed me a lot as a player. We can only hope that even more people take a place in the PWHL in the future. We need even more players over there; it would benefit us in the long run. I also know that college maintains a really high level, says defenseman Maja Nylén Persson, New York Sirens.
PWHL scoring stars
Two of the college players on the Olympic team are among the hottest names ahead of this summer's PWHL draft – Swedish scoring queen Thea Johansson (4 goals and 2 assists so far) and Josefin Bouveng.
Now Tre Kronor are aiming to take the next step and fight for medals.
It would mean a lot. It's something we've been working toward for four years now and have taken small steps and started to see results, says Anna Kjellbin about the victory in the Euro Hockey Tour tournament in Finland in December and second place in Ängelholm in November.
In both tournaments, Tre Kronor defeated the Czech Republic.
Defense: Mira Jungåker, Ohio State University; Maja Nylén Persson, New York Sirens (PWHL); Ida Karlsson, University of Minnesota-Duluth; Jenna Raunio, Ohio State; Anna Kjellbin, Toronto Sceptres (PWHL).
Forwards: Hilda Svensson, Ohio State; Josefin Bouveng, University of Minnesota; Sara Hjalmarsson, Toronto (PWHL); Thea Johansson, Minnesota-Duluth; Lina Ljungblom, Montreal Victorie (PWHL); Nicole Hall, Penn State University.
Friday: Czech Republic–Sweden (4:40 p.m.), USA–Italy (9:10 p.m.).
Saturday: Canada–Germany (4:40 p.m.), Finland–Switzerland (9:10 p.m.).
Semifinals will be played on February 16, the bronze medal match and final on February 19.
