Quinn Hughes OT Winner Sends USA to Semifinals in olympic mens hockey Quarterfinal
Quinn Hughes finished a fast, frantic quarterfinal with a 3-on-3 overtime winner, lifting Team USA to a 2-1 victory over Sweden and a berth in the Olympic mens hockey semifinals. The decisive strike came 3: 27 into overtime and capped a goaltending-heavy contest that swung late in the third period.
How the game unfolded
The game remained scoreless through the first period as both teams traded chances but the goalies largely controlled the action. Midway through the second period Dylan Larkin broke the deadlock, redirecting a point-blank shot to give the U. S. a 1-0 lead. Sweden responded with desperation tactics late in the third, pulling their goalie for an extra attacker and forcing a sustained offensive push that paid off when Mika Zibanejad converted with 1: 31 left to send the match to overtime.
Overtime featured the tournament’s new 3-on-3 format, designed to create open ice and quick finishes. Just past the three-minute mark, Quinn Hughes found the seam he needed and buried the winner, sending the American bench and a large contingent of supporters into celebration.
Stars, saves and storylines
Jacob Markström was under heavy workload early and finished with 37 saves, keeping Sweden alive through long stretches of pressure. On the other side, Connor Hellebuyck delivered a composed performance, repeatedly robbing Sweden’s top chance-maker on rushes and denying several high-danger attempts that could have swung momentum.
Lucas Raymond was a frequent thorn, finishing with five shots and generating several prime chances, including a breakaway late in the first period that Hellebuyck stopped with a clutch pad save. Sweden’s attack found chemistry through dangerous speed and skilled puck movement, but could not find the overtime edge.
For the Americans, Larkin’s second-period redirection was a timely finish from a line that created consistent pressure. The victory also featured strong defensive discipline late in the game, a key difference when Sweden committed to the extra-attacker gamble. Coach Mike Sullivan praised his players’ resilience after the match, calling it a “great hockey game” and expressing pride in how the team responded to a world-class opponent.
What’s next
With the win, the United States advances to face Slovakia in the semifinals on Friday (ET). The team will have limited time to rest and prepare for another high-stakes matchup; managing travel, recovery and line deployment will be crucial in the quick Olympic turnaround.
Sweden’s tournament will be scrutinized for how it adjusts without veteran defenseman Victor Hedman, who missed this game after sustaining a lower-body injury in warmups. His absence was felt in minutes and in the defensive coverage in front of the net, and the team will now regroup with an eye toward the placement round and any remaining medal opportunities.
For the U. S., the overtime win cements momentum and confidence heading into the medal phase. Key contributors will need to maintain form, and the goaltending duel that decided this quarterfinal suggests tight, low-scoring battles lie ahead as teams jockey for Olympic hardware.
