quinn hughes seals OT winner as Team USA survives Sweden, advances to semifinals
Feb. 18, 2026 (ET) — Quinn Hughes delivered a sudden, dramatic end to a game that had the U. S. roster holding its breath. Hughes ripped a laser from the point early in overtime to give Team USA a 2-1 victory over Sweden in a quarterfinal thriller in Milan, sending the Americans into Friday's semifinal against Slovakia.
Hughes finishes a tense night
Hughes, a 26-year-old defenseman who missed significant playing time last winter with an oblique injury, finished the game just over three minutes into the extra period. The shot rang off the post and in, producing an eruption of relief and celebration on the bench and in the stands. "Just relief, " Hughes said after the game, smiling at the moment that extended the Americans' run in these Olympics.
The goal followed a game that tested the depth and composure of this U. S. group. The Americans had seemed poised to close out Sweden behind a sterling performance from their goaltender, but with 91 seconds remaining in regulation Mika Zibanejad beat Connor Hellebuyck to knot the score at 1-1. That late tying goal forced extra hockey and set the stage for Hughes' decisive strike.
Goaltending and leadership kept the team steady
Hellebuyck finished with 28 saves on 29 shots, including a standout stop on a high-danger chance by Lucas Raymond in the second period that preserved the slim American lead. Players and coaches credited the netminder's calm presence in net as a stabilizing force throughout the contest.
Veteran leaders also helped steady the roster after Zibanejad's equalizer. "That's as nervous as I've been ever in a hockey game, " forward Dylan Larkin admitted, reflecting how close the Americans came to seeing their quarterfinal hopes end in regulation. Noah Hanifin praised the leadership group for settling the locker room quickly and allowing the team to regroup for overtime.
The game underscored a recurring theme for the U. S. in this tournament: talent is plentiful, but execution and chemistry can wobble at times. The Americans cruised through pool play but rarely looked fully dialed in; Sweden presented the first true challenge that demanded composure under duress.
Up next: an 'extremely hard' semifinal against Slovakia
With the quarterfinal victory, Team USA now turns to a semifinal matchup against Slovakia on Friday. Hughes and others emphasized the difficulty of that opponent, pointing to Slovakia's momentum and desperation in knockout play. "It's gonna be an extremely hard test, " Hughes said, noting Slovakia's speed and competitive edge. "Doesn't matter how many superstars you have, just the desperation level's so high. It's Game 7 every night now. "
Slovakia advanced after winning its group and dispatching Germany, and the Americans will need to bring full attention to detail to avoid another late drama. For Team USA, the path to the gold medal game runs through disciplined defense, steady goaltending and timely scoring—areas that were tested but ultimately passed on this night.
After a gut-check performance and an overtime finish, the roster gets a brief window to rest and reset in the Olympic Village before heading into a single-elimination semifinal that will test whether this collection of NHL talent can translate potential into a final run.
