In a dramatic quarterfinal matchup at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, the United States men’s hockey team edged Sweden 2-1 in overtime to advance to the semifinal round.
The contest remained tight throughout regulation. Team USA struck first when Dylan Larkin netted a goal in the second period to give the Americans a 1-0 lead. Sweden battled back late in the third, with Sweden’s Mika Zibanejad scoring a key goal with about 90 seconds remaining to force overtime.
Once the game went to a 3-on-3 overtime period, it didn’t take long for the breakthrough. At 3:27 of extra time, defenseman Quinn Hughes took control of the puck in the offensive zone and fired a shot that found the back of the net, lifting the U.S. to a 2-1 victory and setting up a semifinal clash with Slovakia.
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was exceptional between the pipes, finishing with 28 saves to preserve the tight scoreline. The win keeps the U.S. in medal contention and adds another memorable moment to the nation’s Olympic hockey history.
Up next in the medal round, the United States will face Slovakia in the semifinals, while Canada and Finland square off in the other semifinal matchup.