usa hockey olympics: Sweden beats Latvia to set up quarterfinal with U.S.
Sweden's NHL-stacked squad overcame early nerves to down Latvia 5-1 in the Olympic qualification round, punching a ticket to a high-stakes quarterfinal against the unbeaten U. S. on Wednesday (ET) in Milan. Jacob Markstrom made 20 saves while Adrian Kempe and Gabriel Landeskog struck in the first period to seize control.
Sweden's balanced attack and goaltending lift them into knockout round
Facing the real prospect of an early exit despite a roster loaded with NHL talent, Sweden steadied itself after a jittery opening. Kempe opened the scoring and Landeskog followed 41 seconds later, easing the pressure on a team that had been flirting with elimination. Filip Forsberg added a second-period goal, and Mika Zibanejad and William Nylander padded the lead in the third to close out the 5-1 victory.
Jacob Markstrom, who has taken over starting duties from another netminder earlier in the tournament, stopped 20 shots and emerged as a steady presence between the pipes. The workload could be heavy: he may be asked to start on consecutive nights if the coach leans on his veteran core as the single-elimination stretch begins.
Forward Lucas Raymond was heavily involved in the buildup play, credited with three primary assists and serving as a key playmaker even as he picked up a costly penalty earlier in the event. The victory will test the U. S. team's mettle: Sweden has rediscovered form at the right time and presents a multifaceted challenge in transition, skill play and goaltending.
What the U. S. faces in the quarterfinals
The Americans, unbeaten heading into the knockout stage, draw a Sweden squad that has demonstrated depth up and down the lineup. "They're one of the powerhouses in the world, " U. S. winger Matthew Tkachuk said, noting the Swedes' form and pedigree. Expect a tight, tactical clash where goaltending and special teams could decide the outcome.
Sweden's blend of veteran scoring and NHL-skill depth means the U. S. must be prepared for sustained possession and quick strikes off the rush. Defensive discipline will be crucial; Sweden has shown it can capitalize early and erode momentum quickly when opponents lapse. The quarterfinal is win-or-go-home, and both teams will have to manage ice time and recovery with back-to-back scheduling a real factor at this stage.
Other qualification winners and the narrowing field
Czechia advanced after a tense 3-2 win over Denmark, a result the players described as a mix of relief and joy. "Joy and relief, " winger Ondrej Palat said after the victory. Captain Roman Cervenka emphasized the need for an elevated performance before facing tournament favorites, urging teammates to play to their maximum if they hope to challenge the top seeds.
Germany routed France 5-1, with Leon Draisaitl and JJ Peterka contributing to a three-goal first period that set the tone. Goaltender Philipp Grubauer was sharp, stopping 30 of 31 shots, and praised his teammates for the system play that allowed him clear sightlines. Germany will meet Slovakia next in the quarterfinals.
As the bracket tightens, teams face little margin for error. Penalties and special-teams execution have already shown they can swing games at these Olympics, and goaltenders may be asked to play on tight turnarounds. For the U. S. and Sweden, Wednesday's matchup (ET) will be an early test of championship mettle as the tournament moves into single-elimination territory.
