The United States secured a dramatic place in the men’s ice hockey semi-finals at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics after Quinn Hughes scored an overtime winner in a 2–1 victory over Sweden on Wednesday.
The tense quarter-final appeared headed for extra time after Mika Zibanejad equalised for Sweden late in the third period, cancelling out Dylan Larkin’s earlier goal for the Americans. But Hughes delivered the decisive moment in sudden death, keeping Team USA’s hopes of a first Olympic gold since 1980 alive.
«It was a relief,» Hughes said after the game, reflecting on the pressure of the moment and the team’s determination to stay in the tournament.
Tight contest between NHL-heavy squads
Despite featuring lineups packed with NHL talent, the game remained tightly contested throughout. Neither side found the net in the opening period, and scoring chances were limited in a cautious start.
The breakthrough came midway through the second period when Larkin redirected a shot from Jack Hughes in front of the goal, giving the United States a narrow lead. The Americans built momentum afterward, dominating shots but unable to extend their advantage.
Sweden mounted a late push in the third period, pulling their goaltender in the final minutes. The gamble paid off when Zibanejad struck with just over a minute remaining, forcing overtime and setting up a dramatic finish.
Hughes delivers in overtime
In the three-on-three overtime, Hughes stayed on the ice for an extended shift and seized his opportunity, firing the puck past Swedish goalie Jacob Markstrom to seal the win.
The goal sparked jubilant celebrations from the American bench and fans inside the arena, as the U.S. clinched the final semi-final spot.
Semi-final matchups set
With the victory, the United States will face Slovakia in the semi-finals, while Canada takes on Finland in the other last-four clash.
The win keeps alive the Americans’ pursuit of their first Olympic men’s hockey gold medal since the historic «Miracle on Ice» triumph at Lake Placid in 1980.
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