usa hockey olympics: Quinn Hughes OT lifts U.S. past Sweden in quarterfinal
The United States advanced to the Olympic semifinals after a tense, best-on-best quarterfinal in Milan, where Quinn Hughes delivered the decisive overtime goal to beat Sweden. The single-elimination clash at Santagiulia Arena — played Wednesday at 3: 10 p. m. ET — showcased the first Olympics with full NHL participation in 12 years and a heavy dose of elite talent on both sides.
Overtime heroics and late drama
Quinn Hughes finished the contest in dramatic fashion, converting the winning tally in overtime to send the Americans into the next round. The game had already seen high-end chances from the Hughes family, including Jack Hughes firing a shot that narrowly missed the net earlier in regulation. The extra session amplified the stakes and momentum swings that characterized the matchup between two star-studded rosters.
Goaltending, structure and physical edge
Netminder Connor Hellebuyck was named the starter and delivered a performance that matched the moment. He entered the knockout rounds with a 2-0 record, a 1. 00 goals-against average and a. 952 save percentage in the tournament, and his steady work in goal proved a difference in the tight moments. The U. S. blue line leaned on experienced pairings, and defenseman Charlie McAvoy, after recovering from a facial injury, removed his full shield for the game. Forward Brock Nelson, still wearing a protective shield, pushed through his own facial injury to add grit to the American attack.
U. S. coaching staff kept the lineup intact from the preliminary round win over Germany, preserving chemistry and continuity. That stability paid dividends when the Americans needed to establish a physical tempo early, an approach the players emphasized leading up to the game. Noah Hanifin stressed the importance of quick starts and setting the tone on puck movement, while Nelson called Sweden a "tough test, " noting their balance of speed, skill and offensive-minded defensemen.
Path forward and tournament context
The Americans had benefitted from a group-stage bye and a rest day before the quarters, while Sweden arrived after a late local kickoff the night before, finishing their prior match with a 5-1 victory over Latvia at 9: 10 p. m. local time (3: 10 p. m. ET). That extra game gave the Swedes momentum but also a tighter turnaround heading into the all-or-nothing contest.
With the win, the U. S. will move on to the semifinals on Friday, where they will face another elite opponent and the pressure of single-elimination play. The Milano Cortina tournament has felt like a return to old-school Olympic hockey — best-on-best, with NHL-caliber skill, speed and structure translating into high-stakes, tightly contested games. The Americans will aim to carry the cohesion, goaltending reliability and physical edge from this victory into the next match as they pursue a medal in the first NHL-era Winter Games in over a decade.
