quinn hughes delivers OT winner as Team USA survives Sweden, heads to Slovakia test
MILAN — Feb. 18, 2026 (ET) — Quinn Hughes ripped a decisive overtime shot past Sweden’s goaltender to send the U. S. men’s hockey team into the Olympic semifinals, a 2-1 victory that required calm under pressure after a late regulation collapse. The win keeps America’s gold-medal hopes alive and sets up a daunting Friday showdown with an in-form Slovakia squad.
Overtime heroics and the late drama
Hughes, the 26-year-old defenseman, ended the game a little more than three minutes into the extra period when his laser from the point beat Jacob Markstrom. The puck hit iron and trickled in, prompting visible relief from the American bench and players on the ice. “Just relief, ” Hughes said afterward, smiling as teammates gathered around.
The finish came after a frantic final stretch of regulation that saw Sweden tie the game with just 91 seconds remaining. Mika Zibanejad’s shot from the faceoff circle slipped through U. S. goalie Connor Hellebuyck and into the net, erasing what had looked like a comfortable late lead. Veterans exhaled; Dylan Larkin admitted it was among the nerviest moments he’s experienced in a hockey game.
Goaltending, structure and leadership kept the U. S. upright
Despite the late equalizer, the Americans relied on a sturdy defensive structure and timely saves to stay in the contest. Hellebuyck finished with 28 saves on 29 shots, including several high-danger stops in the middle frame that preserved the U. S. advantage for most of regulation. One standout chance by Lucas Raymond in the second period was turned aside and proved critical in keeping the scoreline tight.
Leaders in the locker room helped steady the group after the tying goal. Noah Hanifin credited team captains and senior players for settling nerves and preparing the roster mentally for overtime. “You’ve got to turn the page quick, ” Hanifin said. “Our leaders did a really good job of settling everyone down and the guys who were out there in overtime did a great job for us. ”
Up next: an ‘extremely hard’ test against Slovakia
With the victory, the U. S. advances to face Slovakia in Friday’s semifinal. Slovakia earned its spot by winning a tough group and dispatching Germany to reach the final four. Team USA’s players and coaches have openly acknowledged Slovakia will present a stiff challenge—an opponent playing with high desperation and loose lines that have produced surprising results.
“It’s gonna be an extremely hard test, ” Hughes said of the Slovakian matchup. “They’ve been rolling. They’re competitive. They’re fast. Doesn’t matter how many superstars you have, just the desperation level’s so high. It’s Game 7 every night now. ”
The Americans must correct some of the sluggish stretches that marked their group-stage games, where scoring depth and consistent forecheck intensity were not always on display. When that intensity is present, the roster’s mix of veteran NHL talent and high-end skill has shown it can overwhelm opponents. The late scare against Sweden, however, served as a reminder that single-game elimination at the Olympics leaves no margin for error.
Now, attention turns quickly to preparing for Slovakia. The U. S. coaching staff will aim to balance rest with tactical preparation, sharpen special teams and reinforce the calm that carried them through overtime. If Hughes’s shot is any indication, the Americans can rely on big moments from unexpected places as they chase a spot in the gold-medal game.
