Quinn Hughes' OT Slapshot Sends U.S. Into Mens Hockey Olympics Semifinals

Quinn Hughes ripped an overtime slapshot past Sweden goaltender Jacob Markström to lift Team USA to a 2-1 win in the mens hockey olympics quarterfinals, sending the second-seeded Americans into a Friday semifinal against Slovakia.

Mens Hockey Olympics: Hughes ends Sweden in sudden death

With 6: 33 remaining in overtime, Hughes’ shot found the back of the net for a sudden-death 2-1 victory that ended Sweden’s tournament run. The U. S. scored first on a second-period goal by Dylan Larkin, and the win set up a semifinal meeting with the No. 3 seed Slovakia on Friday.

How the quarterfinal unfolded

Team USA’s Connor Hellebuyck shut out Sweden for most of regulation, keeping the Swedes off the board for the first 58: 29 before Sweden pulled Markström and tied the game. Mika Zibanejad sent a one-timer 6-on-5 past Hellebuyck with 1: 31 remaining to force overtime. The extra session used the Olympics’ 3-on-3 sudden-death format; the Americans dominated possession in that period before Hughes’ winning slapshot.

Hellebuyck finished with 29 saves on 30 shots. Markström faced 40 shots and saved 38. The quarterfinal round in Milan produced three overtime games: Canada beat Czechia 4-3 in OT, Finland beat Switzerland 3-2 in OT, and Slovakia defeated Germany 6-2.

Hughes’ reaction and the road ahead

After the game Hughes said, "It's special, " and added, "I love the U. S., and it's the greatest country in the world. So, I'm happy to represent here with these guys, and it was very special. " The Americans will meet Slovakia in the semifinal on Friday; Canada will face Finland in the other semifinal, with the winners advancing to the gold-medal game.

The U. S. will practice and prepare for Friday’s semifinal as scheduled; officials have confirmed the next game is the Team USA vs. Slovakia semifinal slot on the Olympic bracket.