usa hockey olympics: Quinn Hughes lifts USA past Sweden in OT quarterfinal
Quinn Hughes delivered the decisive moment in overtime as the United States edged Sweden in a tight men’s hockey quarterfinal at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. The single-elimination showdown — staged Wednesday at 3: 10 p. m. ET — produced the kind of end-to-end intensity expected in the first Olympics in 12 years to feature NHL players.
How the quarterfinal played out
The match was a test of speed, structure and goaltending. Sweden brought its trademark puck movement and scoring balance, while the U. S. countered with a fast forecheck and heavy-traffic work around the net. Regulation play remained deadlocked as both teams traded chances; Jack Hughes and other American forwards created high-danger opportunities, but it took extra time for a breakthrough.
In overtime, Quinn Hughes found the finish that decided the contest, sending the Americans through to the semifinals. The win keeps the U. S. on course in the medal hunt and sets up a Friday semifinal appearance. The single-elimination format magnified every turnover and mistake, and special teams and net-front grit ultimately made the difference.
Lineups, goaltending and what to watch next
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck started in net for the U. S., bringing strong tournament form into the quarterfinal. He had been excellent in earlier games, giving his team a reliable last line of defense. The American roster showed continuity from the preliminary round: no lineup changes were made following the team’s 5-1 win over Germany that clinched the top spot in Group C and earned a bye into the quarterfinals.
Defensive pairings and forward lines remained intact, with Charlie McAvoy returning to play without his full facial shield after recovering from a prior injury. Brock Nelson skated wearing a protective shield but made clear he was ready for the physical demands of the matchup. Defenseman Noah Hanifin stressed the importance of a strong start against a team that had played just the night before and carried momentum from an earlier victory.
Sweden’s path to the quarterfinal involved a late-night preliminary win that kept its offense sharp and its transition game dangerous. The Swedes’ ability to move the puck through the neutral zone and generate shots from the perimeter required the U. S. to stay compact, win battles in the corners and clear rebounds promptly. That battle in the dirty areas — and the capacity to convert partial possessions into scoring chances — proved decisive in looming elimination hockey.
Outlook and implications for the medal round
The victory immediately places the United States into the semifinals on Friday, where stakes rise and matchups get even tighter. The stable lineup and confident goaltending give the U. S. a platform to prepare and rest up after the bye into the quarters. For Sweden, elimination ends a run highlighted by skillful puck play and scoring depth, but also underlines how small margins can define success at this level.
With NHL talent on ice and teams operating at peak intensity, every turnover, penalty and shot matters. The Americans will now turn attention to recovery and game-planning for their semifinal opponent, while the overall tournament narrative continues to unfold under the pressure of single-elimination stakes.
