Hughes’ Overtime Goal Sends U.S. Men’s Hockey Team to Olympic Semifinals
MILAN, Italy – A dramatic overtime goal by Quinn Hughes propelled the United States men’s national hockey team into the semifinals of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan on Wednesday, defeating Sweden 2-1. The game, a tense and closely contested affair, saw Hughes score less than three and a half minutes into the three-on-three sudden-death period, sending the Americans through to a semifinal matchup against Slovakia. The victory continues a strong showing for Team USA, who topped Group C in the preliminary round and earned a bye directly to the quarterfinals. This win marks a significant step towards a potential medal for the U.S. Men’s hockey team, a program with a rich Olympic history but seeking its first gold medal since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”
Hughes, a dynamic defenseman known for his offensive prowess, has been a key player for the U.S. Throughout the tournament, contributing four assists prior to Wednesday’s quarterfinal. However, it was his decisive goal against Sweden that cemented his status as a pivotal figure in the American team’s Olympic campaign. The winning play unfolded after a series of passes involving Hughes and forward Matt Boldy, ultimately culminating in Hughes receiving the puck at the blue line and unleashing a powerful shot that eluded Swedish goaltender Jacob Markstrom. The goal, which rang off the left post before entering the net, sparked a jubilant celebration on the ice as teammates mobbed Hughes.
A Hard-Fought Contest
The game began as a defensive battle, with both teams prioritizing tight checking and limiting scoring opportunities. The first period concluded scoreless, with Sweden slightly edging the Americans in shots on goal, 11-10. The stalemate continued into the second period until the U.S. Broke through. A clean faceoff win to the right of the Swedish net set up a sequence that saw Quinn Hughes pass to his brother, Jack Hughes, who then delivered a one-timer that was deftly redirected past Markstrom by forward Dylan Larkin, giving the Americans a 1-0 lead.
The U.S. Maintained their advantage for much of the third period, effectively stifling Sweden’s offensive efforts. However, the Swedes mounted a late surge, pulling their goaltender, Jacob Markstrom, for an extra attacker in the final two minutes. With just 90 seconds remaining, Sweden capitalized on the opportunity. Captain Gabriel Landeskog passed to Lucas Raymond, who then found Mika Zibanejad for a one-timed shot that beat U.S. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, tying the game and forcing overtime. The goal, which hit the post before crossing the line, sent the game into the sudden-death period.
Overtime Decided by Hughes’ Heroics
The overtime period, played under three-on-three rules, saw the Americans dominate possession and generate several scoring chances. They prevented Sweden from registering a single shot on goal while firing five of their own, culminating in Hughes’ game-winning goal. “It’s tough to spot them score with 90 seconds left, but we’re resilient and I feel you saw us with that no-regret mantra in overtime and strive to attack the game,” Hughes told reporters after the game. His ability to remain calm under pressure and capitalize on the opportunity proved to be the difference for Team USA.
Hellebuyck, who made 28 saves in the victory, praised Hughes and the American defensive core. “If I can see it, I can stop it. So, these guys, they let you see everything,” Hellebuyck said. “Not only that, I realize I don’t have to be perfect with my rebounds because I know they’re going to clear it out.” Markstrom, despite the loss, also had a strong performance, stopping 38 of the 40 shots he faced.
Looking Ahead to the Semifinals
Team USA will now face Slovakia in the Olympic semifinals on Friday. Slovakia advanced to the semifinals after a surprising victory over Switzerland. The U.S. Will necessitate to continue their strong play and capitalize on their offensive opportunities to secure a spot in the gold medal game. The team’s success hinges on the continued strong performances of key players like Hughes, Larkin, and Hellebuyck, as well as a collective commitment to disciplined defensive play. The 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey tournament has already delivered several upsets and thrilling moments, and the semifinals promise to be equally compelling.
In the other semifinal matchup, Canada will face Finland. Canada secured their spot with a narrow 3-2 victory over Czechia on Thursday, while Finland advanced after a dominant performance in their quarterfinal game. The Canada-Finland game is expected to be a physical and highly competitive contest, featuring some of the world’s top hockey talent. The winners of the two semifinal games will compete for the gold medal on Sunday, February 22nd.
Key Takeaways
- Quinn Hughes scored the overtime winner to send Team USA to the Olympic semifinals.
- The U.S. Defeated Sweden 2-1 in a hard-fought quarterfinal matchup.
- Team USA will face Slovakia in the semifinals on Friday.
- Connor Hellebuyck made 28 saves in the win, while Jacob Markstrom stopped 38 shots for Sweden.
The U.S. Men’s hockey team’s semifinal game against Slovakia is scheduled for Friday, February 20th, at the Mediolanum Forum in Milan. Fans can follow the game live on NBC and Peacock. Stay tuned to World Today Journal for continued coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics. We encourage you to share your thoughts on Team USA’s performance and the upcoming semifinal matchup in the comments below.
