usa hockey olympics: Quinn Hughes OT winner sends USA past Sweden in quarterfinals
Milano — Quinn Hughes delivered the decisive strike in sudden death to lift the United States past Sweden in a tense men’s hockey quarterfinal at Milano Santagiulia Arena on Wednesday. The victory advances the Americans to the semifinals and punctuates a tournament that has showcased NHL-level talent for the first time in 12 years.
Overtime thriller: Hughes finishes it
The game, scheduled for 3: 10 p. m. ET Wednesday, required extra time before Quinn Hughes — wearing No. 43 — found the net to end the contest. The winning play capped a back-and-forth affair in which the two star-studded rosters traded momentum and chances. Images from the rink showed Hughes celebrating the decisive goal, while moments earlier his brother Jack Hughes had pressured the Swedish net with a shot that missed narrowly.
For the U. S., the result validated a patient approach that emphasized structure, quick transitions and physical play. The Americans had won Group C and entered the quarterfinals with a bye and extra rest, a factor that some players suggested could prove decisive against Sweden, which had to play the previous night to advance.
Lineup choices, goaltending and key players
Coach Mike Sullivan had signaled no lineup changes after the preliminary round, and Connor Hellebuyck was announced as the starter. Entering the matchup he owned a sparkling tournament line: two wins, a 1. 00 goals-against average and a. 952 save percentage. That confidence in net proved crucial against a Swedish attack noted for balance and goal-scoring depth.
Defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who had been sidelined with a facial injury, returned without his full shield, while forward Brock Nelson took the ice with a protective visor after his own facial hit but made clear he was ready for the challenge. Noah Hanifin emphasized the game-plan: get off to a strong start, play with physicality and use speed to unsettle Sweden’s puck-moving defense corps.
Sweden entered the knockout round off a 5-1 win in the qualification stage and displayed the puck movement and offensive balance that made them one of the tournament favorites. The Swedes’ structure on both ends of the ice forced the U. S. to maintain discipline and capitalize on transition opportunities — the element that ultimately created the overtime chance for Hughes.
Special teams and depth scoring again proved decisive. While star players created the headline moments, secondary contributions and defensive zone recoveries helped sustain pressure through the final minutes of regulation and into overtime.
What’s next for the Americans
With the win, the U. S. advances to the Olympic semifinals on Friday. The single-elimination format leaves no margin for error; the team’s rest day after winning Group C had given them time to prepare tactically and recuperate, but the physical and emotional toll of a tight quarterfinal will be a factor as they turn attention to their next opponent.
Coach Sullivan and his leaders must now balance line management and game planning while staying healthy. Hellebuyck’s strong tournament form provides stability in goal, but matchup preparation and special-teams execution will be front-and-center in the build-up to the semifinal.
The Milano Cortina event has delivered high drama and elite-level play, and Thursday’s practice reports will be watched closely as the U. S. aims to convert this momentum into a run for the gold medal game.
