After the preliminary round of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy eight of the 11 University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team representatives will be advancing to the medal round.

From Group A Team Canada and Team Sweden have moved on, while from Group B Team USA and Team Finland are in the running for a medal.

Team Canada is represented by former Bulldogs Caroline Ouellette, who has tallied seven points so far in the tournament.

There are two former UMD skaters on Team Sweden. Maria Rooth, the first women's hockey player in the country to have her jersey retired, and Erika Holst have been key contributors for Team Sweden. Rooth has six points, while Holst has garnered three.

Team USA has one lone represented from the Bulldogs, Jenny Potter. Potter has scored at least one point in the first three games of the tournament, including a team high four points against Switzerland. She has complied seven total points, on two goals and five assists.

The final team advancing to the medal round is the team with the most representatives from UMD with four. Rookie F Mari Pehkonen has recorded a goal in each of the teams three games, including the first goal of the Olympic tournament and the first goal of the game against Team USA just 13 seconds into the first period.

Incoming freshman for the 2006-2007 season, Saara Tuominen has also done well for Team Finland, earning three points. Nora Tallus has tallied an assist, while Satu Kiipeli has yet to score, but has been a key on the defensive side of the ice.

The medal round will get underway on Friday, Feb. 17. Team USA will face Team Sweden, while Team Canada will play Team Finland. The Bronze and Gold Medal games on Monday, Feb. 20. The Gold Medal game will be shown live on NBC at 1:30 p.m