usa hockey: Quinn Hughes OT Winner Sends U.S. Past Sweden to Olympic Semifinals
Quinn Hughes ended a tense quarterfinal with a 3-on-3 overtime winner, lifting Team USA to a 2-1 victory over Sweden and a place in the Olympic semifinals. The decisive goal came 3: 27 into the extra session and capped a physical, low-scoring affair that hinged on timely saves and one late Swedish gamble.
Overtime heroics and key plays
The breakthrough arrived when Quinn Hughes finished a fast, disciplined sequence in 3-on-3 overtime to send the United States through. Earlier, Dylan Larkin had opened the scoring midway through the second period, redirecting a Jack Hughes one-timer at close range after winning a key faceoff. Larkin’s redirection gave the Americans a lead they protected for much of the game.
Sweden pulled its goalie in the final minutes and Mika Zibanejad slammed home the equalizer with 1: 31 remaining, forcing sudden death. That late tying goal set the stage for an overtime showdown that the U. S. ultimately won three-plus minutes in, when the winning play unfolded with crisp passing and a clean finish by Quinn Hughes.
Goaltending duel and roster notes
Netminders were central. Team USA’s starter was steady throughout, making several game-saving stops on dangerous chances late in regulation and into overtime. Sweden turned to their veteran netminder, who answered with 37 saves and kept his side alive until the closing stages.
Sweden also had to cope without a top defenseman after a warmups injury sidelined him. That absence was felt on the back end at moments when the Americans were able to generate traffic and second-chance opportunities. Throughout the match, a handful of U. S. forwards—particularly Larkin and Tage Thompson—created the most consistent chances, while the Hughes brothers combined effectively in tight spaces.
What’s next: semifinal date and the road ahead
Team USA will meet Slovakia in the semifinals on Friday, Feb. 21, 2026 (ET). Head coach Mike Sullivan praised his players’ effort after the victory and emphasized that the team will enjoy the win briefly before turning attention to preparation for the next opponent. The Americans will need to maintain discipline and capitalize on special teams chances, because their margin for error is likely to shrink as the tournament progresses.
This quarterfinal carried extra drama because Sweden had been in comfortable position earlier in the tournament seedings, but the loss highlights how parity and late-game gambles can reshape an Olympic bracket. For the U. S., the victory reinforces a narrative of depth up front and reliable goaltending behind them—two ingredients that have been decisive in knockout hockey.
With a win now secured, the U. S. will reassemble, recover and shift focus immediately to Slovakia, where preparation for Friday’s matchup will include video work, practice plans and lineup adjustments. Expect special teams and net-front battle strategies to be front and center in the days ahead as the Americans chase a spot in the Olympic final.
