When the Olympic break ended, the Toronto Sceptres welcomed back two players who had just come through meaningful games in Milan.
For Anna Kjellbin and Sara Hjalmarsson, Sweden’s fourth-place finish wasn’t seen as a successful result. Internally, the goal had been a medal.
“From the outside, I don’t think people had very high expectations on us,” Hjalmarsson said. “But for our team and our staff, we had the goal from the beginning to medal. We really thought we had the group for it.”
Sweden moved through Group B unbeaten and beat Czechia in the quarterfinal before falling in the semifinal and then in overtime in the bronze-medal game. The run marked progress for the program, but the disappointment was real.
“At the end, medaling was our goal,” Hjalmarsson said. “You always want to win the last game.”
Sceptres head coach Troy Ryan said that reaction stood out.
“They’re happy with how they played, but they’re very disappointed as well,” Ryan said. “That bronze medal was within their reach. It shows where that program is trending — that’s no longer something they’re happy with.”
Kjellbin, 31, is in her second PWHL season and wore the captain’s “C” for Sweden. She spoke with pride about the group’s growth.
“I’m very proud of every single one on this team,” she said. “We’ve been working so hard for a couple of years now, and to finally show it with good results — it means a lot.”
For Hjalmarsson, 28 and in her first PWHL season after being selected in the fifth round last summer, the tournament provided something else: rhythm and confidence.
“I got a lot of ice time over there. Scored a couple goals. Obviously that builds confidence,” Hjalmarsson said. “I’m definitely going to try to bring that confidence back with me.”
It showed immediately. In Toronto’s first game after the break, Hjalmarsson scored her first PWHL goal — an empty-netter that secured a 5–2 win over Seattle. Two nights later, she opened the scoring in a 2–1 win over Vancouver, beating Emerance Maschmeyer short side.
Both were tight games. Both goals mattered. If Hjalmarsson can continue to show her offensive prowess, the Sceptres might have the depth scoring they need as they push to get in a playoff position.
"We both play a lot on the national team," Kjellbin explained. "And that gives you confidence, obviously. And I felt good over the seven or eight games we've been away playing now. So hopefully I can I can bring that coming back here as well.
“All the upcoming games are important. One day at a time. One game at a time.”
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