Quinn Hughes OT winner sends USA through in olympic mens hockey quarterfinals
The United States survived a tense quarterfinal against Sweden, winning 2-1 in overtime after Quinn Hughes finished a 3-on-3 extra session 3: 27 in. The victory books the U. S. a spot in the Olympic men's hockey semifinals on Friday (ET), setting up a matchup with Slovakia.
How the game unfolded
It was a tight, low-scoring affair that hinged on a few decisive moments. The Americans broke the stalemate midway through the second period when Dylan Larkin redirected a Jack Hughes one-timer from the point, sneaking the puck past Sweden’s netminder to put the U. S. up 1-0. Larkin’s finish capped a dominant sequence from his line and rewarded a strong forechecking set-up.
Sweden pulled its goaltender late in the third and earned the equalizer when Mika Zibanejad converted on the extra attacker with just 1: 31 left, forcing overtime and sending the crowd into a nervous hush. The overtime format switched to 3-on-3, where open ice and speed tipped the balance in favor of the Americans. Quinn Hughes, who has been a catalyst all tournament, struck 3: 27 into the period to end it, sending his teammates storming and the U. S. into the last four.
Goaltenders, big chances and a missing veteran
Both goalies were outstanding for long stretches. The U. S. starter kept his composure on several high-danger chances from Sweden’s top forwards and made key stops on rushes and odd-man opportunities. Sweden’s netminder was equally busy and ended with more than 30 saves, keeping his team level until the late equalizer. The clash between the two netminders proved decisive; each single-save moment seemed to shift momentum back and forth.
Sweden also battled through adversity before puck drop, losing a key veteran defenseman to a lower-body injury sustained in warmups. That absence forced defensive adjustments and changed how Sweden sheltered its net in critical moments. One of Sweden’s most dangerous forwards produced multiple chances — including a breakaway late in the first and several high-danger attempts that were denied — but could not find the back of the net when it mattered most.
Looking ahead: U. S. faces Slovakia in the semifinals
The Americans now turn their focus to a semifinal date with Slovakia on Friday (ET). The coach emphasized pride in a performance that beat a well-rounded opponent and urged the locker room to enjoy the win briefly before shifting attention to preparation for the next challenge. Momentum and confidence will be tested quickly; the tournament’s compressed schedule leaves little recovery time, and tactical tweaks for 3-on-3 situations could be decisive in the medal rounds.
For Sweden, the loss is a gut punch but not a sign of collapse. The team showed flashes of the form that made it a tournament favorite — crisp entries, timely forechecking and dangerous offensive patterns — but one late mistake and an overtime lapse were enough to send them home. The injury to their veteran defender will be monitored closely as teams reassess lineups and matchups heading into the semis.
Individual storylines to watch: the redirection ability of Larkin and the playmaking of the Hughes brothers, who continue to be central to the American attack; the goaltending form of both starters if they are called upon again; and how Sweden reorganizes defensively without its injured blueliner. Friday’s semifinal will offer the next test for the U. S. as it chases an Olympic medal.
