Quinn Hughes lifts USA Hockey past Sweden in Olympic hockey quarterfinal

Team USA hockey is headed to the men’s hockey Olympics semifinals after a 2–1 overtime win against Sweden on Wednesday, February 18, capped by a blistering winner from Quinn Hughes. The result keeps the U.S. unbeaten in Olympic men’s play and sets up a USA vs Slovakia showdown with a trip to the gold-medal game on the line.

The USA hockey score came in a game the Americans largely controlled territorially, but couldn’t put away until overtime—an outcome that immediately reshaped the hockey Olympics bracket and put renewed focus on a roster built for speed, puck movement, and late-game pressure.

Quinn Hughes delivers in overtime

With the teams tied 1–1 after regulation, Hughes ended it in overtime with a point shot that beat Sweden goaltender Jacob Markstrom. Matt Boldy earned an assist on the play, and the finish underscored how central the U.S. blue line has been to its Olympic hockey results so far—pushing pace, keeping pucks alive, and generating second looks.

The overtime format’s extra space also played to U.S. strengths. Hughes’ skating and ability to change angles created the opening, and the Americans converted quickly after regulation ended with the game still tight despite a wide shot margin.

Larkin opens it, Sweden answers late

Dylan Larkin gave the U.S. the lead in the second period, finishing a chance created off quick puck movement. Quinn Hughes and Jack Hughes were credited with assists on the opener, a sequence that showcased the kind of layered attack the U.S. has leaned on throughout olympics hockey.

Sweden’s equalizer came late in the third period when Mika Zibanejad scored to force overtime. The timing flipped the feel of the game: the U.S. had carried long stretches, but Sweden found the single finish it needed to extend the night.

In goal, Connor Hellebuyck steadied the Americans with 28 saves. Markstrom stopped 29 for Sweden as the Americans kept coming in waves.

What the numbers said

The U.S. outshot Sweden 40–29 and spent much of the evening in the offensive zone, repeatedly testing Markstrom through traffic. Sweden’s ability to hang around—then strike late—kept the game on a knife edge until Hughes’ winner finally separated the teams.

For anyone searching olympic hockey scores today or mens olympic hockey scores, the headline is simple: USA vs Sweden men’s hockey ended 2–1 (OT), and the Americans advanced.

Team USA hockey schedule: what’s next

The win moves the U.S. into the semifinal round, where the bracket now features four remaining teams: the United States, Slovakia, Canada, and Finland. Slovakia reached this stage by beating Germany 6–2, while Canada and Finland both advanced through overtime wins in their quarterfinals.

Upcoming men’s hockey Olympics schedule (ET)

Canada vs Finland is the other semifinal on Friday morning, and its result will determine the U.S. opponent if the Americans advance.

USA hockey roster storylines to watch

Beyond Hughes and Larkin, this run has highlighted the depth of the U.S. men’s hockey group. Hellebuyck has provided calm goaltending behind an aggressive, puck-moving defense, while the forward group has repeatedly created chances off turnovers and speed through the neutral zone.

For Sweden hockey, the exit is a frustrating one: the team got the late Zibanejad goal it needed, but couldn’t solve the U.S. again once overtime opened up. With the USA vs Sweden hockey rivalry delivering another one-goal finish, the difference ended up being a single moment from the American blue line—Hughes stepping into space and ending it.