Mens Hockey: Quinn Hughes' OT goal sends U.S. to Olympic semifinal

Quinn Hughes' slapshot 3: 27 into overtime gave the United States a 2-1 quarterfinal win over Sweden on 02/18/26, advancing Team USA to a Friday semifinal against No. 3 seed Slovakia in the Olympic mens hockey tournament.

Mens Hockey overtime heroics at Milano Santagiulia

Hughes seized the extra session after Matt Boldy found him on the left boards; Hughes floated toward center and ripped a shot that hit the right post and slipped past Sweden goaltender Jacob Markström 3: 27 into overtime at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Pandemonium followed as teammates swarmed Hughes on the ice, and Hughes summed the moment in two words: “Just relief. ” Hughes played a team-high 27: 31 in the game.

Late regulation drama sent the game to extra time

Team USA opened the scoring in the second period when Dylan Larkin flew in and put the U. S. ahead, but Sweden battled back late. With 1: 31 remaining in regulation and Markström pulled for an extra attacker, Mika Zibanejad ripped a one-timer 6-on-5 to tie the game at 1-1 and force overtime. U. S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck had kept the Swedes off the board for the first 58: 29 of regulation and finished with 29 saves on 30 shots; Markström faced 40 shots and saved 38.

Quarterfinal weekend sets up medal-round matchups

The 2-1 victory in Milan capped a quarterfinal round in which three of the four games went to overtime: Canada beat Czechia 4-3 in OT, Finland beat Switzerland 3-2 in OT, and Slovakia advanced past Germany, 6-2. With Sweden eliminated, the semifinal pairings are set: the U. S. will face Slovakia on Friday, and No. 1 seed Canada will meet No. 4 seed Finland in the other semifinal.

Hughes' overtime winner ended Wednesday's quarterfinal and left Team USA one victory from a gold-medal game; the next confirmed event is the U. S. semifinal against Slovakia on Friday.