Quinn Hughes is the hero for Team USA. With 6:33 remaining in overtime of Wednesday’s Olympics quarterfinal, Hughes ripped a slapshot past Sweden goaltender Jacob Markström.
The puck found the back of the net for a 2-1 win and a thrilling sudden-death victory for USA. The No. 2 seed U.S. men’s hockey team advances to face No. 3 seed Slovakia in Friday’s semifinal round.
Sweden’s Olympics, meanwhile, come to an excruciating end. No. 1 seed Canada will face No. 4 seed Finland in Friday’s other semifinal, and the winner of each game will advance to play for the gold medal. USA scored first on Wednesday via a second-period goal by Dylan Larkin.
USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, meanwhile, kept the Swedes off the board for the first 58:29 of regulation. But with 1:31 remaining and with Markström pulled from Sweden’s net, Mika Zibanejad sent a one-timer, 6-on-5 slapshot past Hellebuyck to tie the game at 1-1.
The goal ultimately sent the game to overtime, which in the Olympics is a 3-on-3 format played to sudden death. The U.S. dominated the puck in the extra session, and Hughes’ goal 3:27 into overtime secured the dramatic victory for Team USA.
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Hellebuyck finished with 29 saves on 30 shots on goal. Markström faced 40 USA shots on goal, saving 38 of them.
The win capped a thrilling quarterfinal round in Milan, in which three of the four games went to overtime. Canada beat Czechia, 4-3, and Finland beat Switzerland, 3-2, both in overtime. Slovakia, meanwhile, cruised past Germany in the other quarterfinal, 6-2.
Here’s how Team USA’s win over Sweden unfolded in real time:
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Jason Owens
Quinn Hughes is the hero for USA.
With 6:33 remaining in overtime, Hughes ripped a slapshot past Jacob Markstrom. The puck found the back of the net for a 2-1 win and a thrilling sudden death victory for USA.
The second-seeded U.S. men advance to face No. 3 Slovakia in the semifinals Friday. Canada will take on Finland in the other semifinal. Sweden’s Olympic Games are over.
In total, three of the four games went to overtime in a thrilling quarterfinal round. Canada beat Czechia, 4-3 and Finland beat Switzerland, 3-2, both in overtime. Slovakia, meanwhile, cruised past Germany in the fourth quarterfinal, 6-2.
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Jason Owens
USA forced a turnover for a 3-on-2 opportunity under eight minutes. But Jacob Markstrom came up with the save to keep the game going.
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Jason Owens
More drama in the Olympic quarterfinals.
Mika Zibanejad’s late goal has forced overtime, and Sweden and USA will head to overtime. They’ll play 3 on 3 sudden death. The next goal secures a trip to the semifinals.
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Jason Owens
This one’s not over. Sweden is on the board with its first goal with 1:31 remaining. The game is tied at 1-1 and headed for overtime unless we get another late goal.
Mika Zibanejad put a one-timer from the left circle past Connor Hellebuyck as Sweden was playing 6 on 5 after pulling its goalie. And Sweden’s Olympics remain alive.
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Jason Owens
Frustration for Sweden. A shot hit the post and bounced off with under 3 minutes remaining where a goal would have tied the game.
Sweden’s goalie remains in net.
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Jason Owens
Sweden has 27 shots on goal, but no goals. USA has a 1-0 lead and is three minutes from advancing to the Olympic semifinals. Sweden will be forced to pull its goalie soon.
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Jason Owens
Connor Hellebuyck made a stick save under pressure with around seven minutes remaining, and Sweden is still scoreless. The pressure is mounting with a trip to the Olympic semifinals on the line.
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Jason Owens
10 minutes remain, and USA maintains a 1-0 lead. Sweden has five shots on goal in the third period, but still hasn’t found the back of the net.
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Jason Owens
Sweden didn’t capitalize on its power play, and USA is back at full strength with a 1-0 lead and 15:25 remaining in the third period.
The Swedes got a shot on goal, but Connor Hellebuyck picked up his 20th save of the game.
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Jason Owens
Sweden has its first power-play opportunity of the game with 17:25 remaining in regulation. Vincent Trocheck is in the penalty box for two minutes for tripping.
Sweden can tie things up with a successful power play.
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Jason Owens
USA has been in control of the puck and has a 1-0 lead over Sweden to show for it.
But the game’s up for grabs with 20 minutes left in regulation. The third period is underway with a trip to the Olympic semifinals at stake.
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Sean Leahy
A much more active period for the U.S., who put 20 shots on Sweden goaltender Jacob Markstrom during the middle 20. That ended up paying off with Dylan Larkin’s goal.
The Swedes have has a few good chances, but have yet to solve Connor Hellebuyck.
SHOTS ON GOAL
U.S.: 30
Sweden: 19PENALTY MINUTES
U.S.: 0
Sweden: 4 -
Sean Leahy
Hampus Lindholm heads to the penalty box for tripping with 2:32 to play in the second period.
USA 1, Sweden 0
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Sean Leahy
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Sean Leahy
Dylan Larkin deflects a Jack Hughes shot to break the deadlock as the U.S. goes up 1-0 over Sweden with 8:57 to play in the second period.
Larkin won the offensive zone face-off back to defenseman Quinn Hughes, who then set up his brother for a one-timer from the point. Larkin, who went right to the space in front of Sweden goaltender Jacob Markstrom, was there to tip it by for the opening goal.
USA’s #21 Dylan Larkin celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the men’s play-off quarter-final ice hockey match between USA and Sweden at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, on February 18, 2026. (Photo by Alexander NEMENOV / AFP via Getty Images)
(ALEXANDER NEMENOV via Getty Images)
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Sean Leahy
Auston Matthews redirected a pass to Jake Guentzel, whose follow up was denied by Jacob Markstrom.
The U.S. leads Sweden 16-15 in shots on goal. Both teams are testing the goaltenders, but have yet to break through.
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Sean Leahy
Via Uffe Bodin, Sweden coach Sam Hallam told Swedish TV that Victor Hedman was injured during warmups and likely will not play Wednesday.
Hallam added that Hedman wanted to remain with the team on the bench despite not being able to take a shift.
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Sean Leahy
The U.S. and Sweden are still searching for the game’s first goal.
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Sean Leahy
Hallam sat Victor Hedman and Jesper Bratt for the entire first period against the U.S. He has done similar this tournament with Filip Forsberg and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Hampus Lindholm, who had yet to play for Sweden through four games, played over five minutes in the opening period.
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Sean Leahy
The U.S. is having a tough time maintaining possession in the Sweden zone. The Swedes, meanwhile, are doing a good job on the forecheck, forcing turnovers and creating opportunities against Connor Hellebuyck.
Sweden defenseman Victor Hedman must be bothered by something as he did not play a shift in the opening period.
SHOTS ON GOAL
U.S.: 10
Sweden: 10PENALTY MINUTES
U.S.: 0
Sweden: 2
