MILAN, Italy — Sweden women’s hockey coach Ulf Lundberg has plenty of confidence in the challenge ahead.

In outlining how fearless his young and talented group has performed in going 5-0 to reach the semifinals at the Milan Cortina Games, Lundberg made a bold suggestion in preparing to face the top-ranked and tournament-favored Americans on Monday.

“(The Americans) are just human beings,” Lundberg said immediately following a 2-0 quarterfinal win over Czechia on Friday. “It’s a fantastic challenge. And I don’t really think that the U.S. team wants to meet us right now.”

While anything is possible in a one-game knockout, the Swedes beating the U.S. would represent a significant upset.

As for Team USA’s response to Lundberg’s comment, coach John Wroblewski said he’s eager and ready to play whoever is next.

“We’re ready to play against anybody, and we’re excited to play anybody,” he said. “I think that the hunger and the gamesmanship of which they’ve shown to persevere through the relegation pool is admirable. And of course we respect that.”

Defending Olympic champion Canada will play Switzerland in the other semifinal, with the winners advancing to the gold medal game on Thursday.

The tournament’s semifinal matchups are the same as the 2014 Sochi Games, when Canada went on to defeat Switzerland and then claim gold on Marie-Philip Poulin’s overtime goal in a 3-2 win over the U.S.

What’s different this time is the dominance the United States has shown in a tournament beginning to resemble more of a coronation for the two-time gold medal winners.

The Americans have won five games by a combined margin of 26-1, including a 5-0 victory over rival Canada. And they haven’t allowed a goal since Barbora Jurickova scored on a breakaway 8:37 into second period in a 5-1 win over Czechia in both teams’ tournament opener on Feb. 5.

The Americans have shown no fear against anyone.

“We have one goal in mind, and that’s to bring home a gold medal,” defender Megan Keller said. “So whoever’s in our way, we’re going to focus on ourselves.”

Four years after Canada dominated in winning gold at Beijing, the U.S. has raised women’s hockey to another level with a multi-faceted attack that overwhelms opponents in waves and features a swift, playmaking group of defenders driving the offense.

The U.S. has four players in the tournament’s top 10 in points, with three of them defenders, including Caroline Harvey, who leads all players with nine points (2 goals, 7 assists).

Wroblewski’s biggest fear is overconfidence.

“There needs to be a lot of respect for the treachery and how fragile it is between success and not. You can’t take anything for granted,” he said. “It’s really good to have confidence, because confidence is earned. But we’ve got to make sure that these one-game sets, they’re volatile. … We’re nowhere near the end.”

The Swedes are on the rise under Lundberg and feature a young, brash, talented core that includes seven players still competing at the U.S. college ranks. Much like the U.S., Sweden won five games by a combined margin of 20-2, but had a comparatively easier schedule in the Group B bracket.

The team now has a chance to earn its third Olympic medal and first since winning silver in 2006, when Sweden upset the U.S. in the semifinals.

Lundberg’s confidence reflects that of his players, who’ve been instilled with the vision of being honey badgers.

“The honey badger is chasing lions and elephants and everyone away. And they are scared of the honey badger because he or she has a totally (fearless) mentality,” Lundberg said. “And so we need to have that (fearless) mentality, because in Sweden we’re a little laid back and humble. But in the game of hockey, you have to take the lead.”

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FORT MYERS, Fla. — If it seems like the Twins have been adding another reliever to the mix every day, well, that’s not too far off.

The Twins’ front office has spent the first few days of camp addressing holes in the bullpen, bringing in left-hander Anthony Banda in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Liam Hendriks, Julian Merryweather, Andrew Chafin and Cody Laweryson on minor-league deals with invites to major league spring training.

Notably, they’ve added a veteran presence to a group that at one point seemed as if it would skew much younger.

The 37-year-old Hendriks began his major league career in 2011. Chafin, 35, debuted in 2014,and Banda, 32, has spent parts of nine seasons in the majors. That’s in addition to Taylor Rogers, whom the Twins brought back in on a one-year deal in January.

“I love the fact that they’ve all pitched in big games and they’ve pitched in the ninth inning,” manager Derek Shelton said. “They pitched in high-leverage on really good teams, championship teams, World Series games.”

Both Hendriks and Rogers were all-star closers — Hendriks in 2019, 2021 and 2022 and Rogers in 2021 — and Banda, acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers, has pitched in each of the last two World Series, giving the Twins valuable past experience to draw upon.

Though the recent additions are not guaranteed to make the team out of camp, having that type of major-league knowledge around is a value to the group as a whole and to the stable of young relievers the Twins have in major league camp.

“The fact that they’ve been there and young guys that are in (the) back end of the bullpen can ask them about situations or ask them about things that happened, there is no better coaching that will happen than player to player or peer to peer,” Shelton said. “When players coach themselves, it’s vital.”

For Banda, getting designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Feb. 6 was “a blindside,” the reliever said. As players began reporting to spring training, Banda was still sitting at home “getting antsy” as he waited to find out where he would end up. He wound up with the Twins after a trade for international bonus pool money.

“It was a roller coaster for sure,” he said. “But hey, new chapter, new opportunity.”

Opportunity is what the Twins’ bullpen has provided a number of relievers since last season’s trade deadline sell-off, and now, there are a bunch of veterans trying to make the most of that opportunity. And notably, some of those veterans, like Hendriks and Chafin, are known for having big personalities.

“I think that’s really important when you’re adding a different subset of personalities into a group,” Shelton said. “I think it’s good for our young players.”

Briefly

One reliever no longer in camp is Jackson Kowar, whom the Twins picked up as a waiver claim at the beginning of the month. Kowar was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Banda and then traded to the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations. … All players have reported to camp and on Monday, the Twins will host their first full-squad workout.  … The Twins started live batting practice on Sunday. Starter Joe Ryan, who is headed to the World Baseball Classic later this spring, threw three ups. New first baseman Josh Bell hit a home run off Zebby Matthews.

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Abbey Murphy could have left the University of Minnesota last spring with a degree and a job waiting for her in the PWHL. Instead, she’s back with the Gophers chasing an elusive national title as a graduate student.

There were a lot of reasons for her decision, Murphy said during an interview with the Pioneer Press in January, the most important of which was the fact that she is happy — likes her teammates and coaches, likes being a student.

United States’ Abbey Murphy, right, checks Finland’s Julia Schalin during a preliminary round match of women’s ice hockey between the United States and Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

“You’re only in college once,” she said. “I was lucky enough to have another year of eligibility; I was lucky to be able to make that decision.”

Recent changes in NCAA rules help, as well — Murphy has deals with athletic clothing business UNRL and vitamins and supplements company Metabolic Elite, according to her Instagram account — and, she said, there isn’t a better place than the UMN to get ready for the Olympics.

“Training staff and facilities at the U are incredible,” Murphy said. “I don’t think there’s anything out there and that comes close. College is just a very unique position now, all this stuff they’re allowing us to have. I feel really good here, especially with the training and coaching staff.”

Through preliminary play, Murphy, 23, had a goal and five assists heading into Monday’s semifinal matchup between Group A winner Team USA (5-0) and Group B winner Sweden (5-0), which features Gophers blue liner Josefin Bouveng. The winner of Monday’s games will advance to the gold medal game on Thursday; the loser will play for bronze, something the U.S. hasn’t done since 2006 in Torino.

Three of Murphy’s assists came in the Americans’ 5-0 rout of defending champion Canada and the U.S. went 4-0-0 in the annual rivalry series with Canada last fall after beating the Canadians in the IIHF world championship.

“I think our team is hot right now,” Murphy said before leaving for Italy. “And that’s a fun way to look at it.”

Murphy has been a Team USA staple as far back as her U18 days in Evergreen Park, Ill., and has won her share of gold medals, including IIHF championships in 2023 and 2025. In Murphy’s previous Olympics, 2002 in Beijing, the U.S. came home with silver after losing to Canada in the final.

Gophers forward Ella Huber, left, celebrates with teammates after a goal by Abbey Murphy (center) in Minnesota’s 3-2 NCAA regional victory over Colgate on March 15, 2025, at Ridder Arena (Brad Rempel / Gophers Athletics)

“I’ve learned a lot of things from playing in the Olympics and in college,” Murphy said. “I’m faster and stronger, things like that. My brain’s faster; I’m thinking the game on a higher level and it’s fun. I’m just trying to do whatever it takes to win and be productive.”

In 26 games with the Gophers this season, Murphy has 36 goals and 61 points and has tied Ohio State coach Nadine Muzzeral for the program goals record with 139.

Murphy, 23, is one of four Gophers in Italy — Bouveng, Nelli Laitinen (Finland) and Tereza Plosová (Czechia) are the others — and it hasn’t been easy for the U. In four games without them, the third-ranked Gophers are 1-3 with a victory over top-ranked Wisconsin.

“There is certainly a presence about Murph, right?” coach Brad Frost said after the Gophers’ split with Wisconsin. “There’s a confidence and a swagger; she’s earned that because she’s proven that she can do the things that she does.”

Murphy is joined by former teammates Taylor Heise and Grace Zumwinkle on the U.S. roster. It’s Zumwinkle’s second Games, and Heise’s first. Both Heise and Zumwinkle are playing for the Frost in the PWHL, and Heise was the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winner as the best college player in 2022.

But neither won a national title, something the Gophers haven’t managed since 2016. Murphy has one more chance when she and her teammates return from Italy for the stretch run.

“I’ve always wanted to win one. It’s always in the back of my mind,” she said. “But if we don’t in the end, I won’t regret it. I’ll be gone for a month, it’s a little bit weird, but I trust they’ll get the job done and we’re gonna come back to set it up for the (WCHA) playoffs. I’m really for it.”

In the meantime, it’s gold on Murphy’s mind. Her experience with this particular team — which includes Olympic veterans such as Lee Steclein, Kendall Coyne Schofield and Kelly Pannek — has been unparalleled, she said.

“We have a coach (John Wroblewski) we trust. Every little thing he does is for a reason, and this team was put together for a reason,” Murphy said before leaving for Italy. “It’s our job to put our heads down and work. It’s been an absolute blast, a heck of a ride.

“We’ve been here for a common goal, and that was to get ready for the three training camps and the rivalry series. We had a job to do, and these games have been incredible. You play with whoever and adapt. These are the best players in the world. It’s quite incredible. We’re really confident in where we stand, and we’re not really satisfied at all.”

ON A ROLL

The U.S. women have outscored their Olympic opponents 26-1 so far. Here is how they won Group A and earned a spot in Monday’s semifinal against Sweden:

United States 5, Czechia 1

United States 5, Finland 0

United States 5, Switzerland 0

United States 5, Canada 0

United States 6, Italy 0

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NONPROFITS

Roz Tsai

The Wilder Foundation, St. Paul, announced the appointment of Roz Tsai as chief human resources officer, effective Jan. 19. Tsai succeeds vice president of human resources Jennie Hawkins, who has served Wilder for 38 years. Tsai most recently served as vice president of talent, learning, and organizational effectiveness at Thrivent, Minneapolis.

ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING

MSR Design, a Minneapolis architecture firm, announced the elevation of Jeffery Davis and Kate Michaud to firm principals. Michaud is director of project delivery and Davis leads the firm’s Utah office.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Piper Sandler Cos., a Minneapolis-based national investment bank, announced the addition of Dan Wolf as a managing director in the health care investment banking group. Wolf returns to Piper Sandler where he began his career as a health care investment banking analyst. Prior to rejoining the firm, he served as chief financial officer at Theradaptive.

GOVERNMENT

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon announced the appointment of Justin Erickson as deputy secretary of state for operations. Erickson served as general counsel for the office since May 2024 and previously was deputy general counsel. Deputy General Counsel Lauren Bethke will succeed Erickson in the role of general counsel.

HEALTH CARE

Mayo Clinic, Rochester, announced it has appointed Todd Manion chair of revenue cycle for the health system. Manion succeeds Sharon Kelley; he previously served as chair of coding, revenue integrity, outpatient clinical documentation improvement and provider education at Mayo. He joined Mayo Clinic in 2021 after spending more than 12 years as a managing director at Deloitte & Touche.

HONORS

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, St. Paul, announced five honorees statewide who received its 2025 President’s Leadership Excellence Award: Chrissy Elton, area director of LSS Meals; Heidi Leach, senior director of business technology; Linda Meaux-Stewart, program coordinator at Portland House; Tameka Miller, program director for Metro Youth Housing Services, and Amy Tudor, program director for Housing Services.

LAW

Maslon, Minneapolis, announced it is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2026. … Faegre Drinker, Minneapolis, announced that Erika Campbell has joined the firm’s private client group. Campbell previously clerked for the Honorable Gerald Schroeder of the Idaho Supreme Court. … Fredrikson, Minneapolis, announced that Chief Operating Officer Ann Rainhart has been named to the O Shaped 2026 O List, honoring individuals who embody the 5 Os mindset, a list of professional principals meant to guide the legal profession.

MANUFACTURING

Smyth Cos., an Eagan-based provider of product packaging label printing and services for business, announced the appointment of Steve Wirrig as chief executive officer. Wirrig most recently served as CEO of NovaVision and also was CEO of Rohrer Corp. and served in various leadership positions at Coveris, KubeTech, Rexam and Textron.

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Patterson Cos. Inc., a Mendota Heights-based national supplier of medial equipment to veterinary and dental practices, announced the appointment of Patrik Eriksson as Patterson Dental’s North American president. Eriksson most recently served as CEO at Vimian Group. … Kindeva, a Woodbury-based developer of drug-delivery combination devices, announced that President David Stevens has assumed the role of CEO. He succeeds Milton Boyer, who will continue to serve as an independent member of the board of directors.

SERVICES

Viking Electric, a Minneapolis-based electrical products distributor and services provider for business, announced the hire of Susan McDougall as vice president of human resources. She previously served in similar roles at Tennant Co., Deluxe Corp. and the University of St. Thomas.

SPONSORSHIPS

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx professional basketball teams announced a multiyear partnership with Wings Credit Union, Apple Valley, as the official credit union of both teams.

TECHNOLOGY

FORTÉ, formerly AVI Systems, an Eden Prairie-based provider of audio-visual systems for businesses and schools, announced the following promotions: Zach Valigura to senior vice president of delivery; Kendra Apelt, vice president of digital solutions, and Chris Clark, vice president of accounting. … Jamf, a Minneapolis-based provider of Apple-based software to enterprises, announced the appointment of David Helfer as chief revenue officer. Helfer most recently served as chief customer and revenue officer at Mimecast. He succeeds Liz Benz, Jamf’s current chief sales officer.

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