Mens Usa Hockey: Quinn Hughes’ OT Goal Sends U.S. to Olympic Semifinals

Quinn Hughes scored an overtime wrist shot to lift the U. S. past Sweden 2-1 in Milan, sending mens usa hockey into the Olympic semifinals against Slovakia and keeping American gold hopes alive. The goal came late in extra time and matters now because a semifinal win would guarantee a medal for the U. S. for the first time since the 2010 Winter Games.

Mens Usa Hockey advances to semis

The U. S. improved to 4-0 in the tournament with the quarterfinal victory. The 2-1 final required extra time after Sweden tied the game in the final minute of regulation, and the Americans will meet Slovakia in the semifinal scheduled for Friday. A win there would secure at least a bronze medal; a loss would send the team to the bronze medal game.

Hughes' overtime wrist shot

The decisive play arrived with 6: 33 left in extra time. Hughes received the puck atop the left faceoff circle, looked for an open teammate and, finding none, made a move toward the net before releasing a wrist shot that climbed and slipped past Jacob Markström’s left glove. The American celebrated with his hands raised as the crowd reacted in the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

"It's just a relief, " Hughes said after the game. "I'm just really enjoying being here with the group and the guys and trying to extend it as long as we can. " He later described trying to create space and getting the shot off from his forehand on the final play.

How the game unfolded

A scoreless first period featured key saves from both goaltenders, Jacob Markström for Sweden and Connor Hellebuyck for the U. S., keeping the teams deadlocked. The Americans broke through in the second period when Jack Hughes fired a shot from just inside the blue line; Dylan Larkin deflected the puck in midair past Markström with 8: 57 remaining in that period for a 1-0 lead.

Sweden pulled its goalie late in regulation to press for an equalizer. With just over one minute left, Lucas Raymond moved the puck cross-ice to Mika Zibanejad, who one-timed it into the net to force overtime. Quinn Hughes’ overtime goal ultimately preserved the Americans’ unbeaten run in the tournament.

Larkin described the win as "great" but cautioned that the team must be ready for Slovakia. He noted the semifinal is "do or die, " called Slovakia dangerous and said the Americans prefer to avoid overtime but feel confident in their roster if extra time occurs again.

• Final score: U. S. 2, Sweden 1 (OT)
• U. S. tournament record: 4-0
• Next: U. S. faces Slovakia in the Olympic semifinal on Friday; a win guarantees a medal

Looking ahead, the immediate observable indicator is the semifinal matchup with Slovakia on Friday. If the U. S. maintains the form shown through four wins, including strong goaltending and timely scoring, it will enter that game as a favorite to secure a medal. If the team struggles to create clean chances or relies excessively on overtime, the path to gold will become more difficult.