Quinn Hughes emerged as the hero for Team USA in a thrilling quarterfinal match against Sweden during the Olympics, scoring a decisive goal with just 6:33 left in overtime. Hughes unleashed a powerful slapshot that eluded Sweden’s goaltender Jacob Markström, sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory for the American team. This triumph marks the advancement of the No. 2 seeded U.S. men’s hockey team to face the No. 3 seeded Slovakia in the semifinals scheduled for Friday.
The match kicked off with USA taking the lead in the second period when Dylan Larkin netted the first goal. Larkin’s impressive play set the tone for early American dominance. However, as the game progressed, Sweden managed to equalize in a nail-biting moment with just 1:31 remaining in regulation time. Mika Zibanejad scored a one-timer with Markström pulled from the net, sending the match into overtime after a tense back-and-forth battle.
In overtime, played in a 3-on-3 format, the United States showcased superior puck control, leading to Hughes’ game-winning goal just 3:27 into the extra period. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was exceptional throughout the game, making 29 saves on 30 shots and maintaining a shutout until the final minute of the third period.
The quarterfinal round in Milan witnessed an exhilarating chain of events, with three out of four matches extending into overtime, including Canada’s narrow victory against Czechia and Finland’s win over Switzerland, both concluding 4-3 and 3-2, respectively. Slovakia showcased a strong performance, defeating Germany decisively with a score of 6-2.
The U.S. team’s victory not only propels them into the semifinals but also reflects their resilience and skill on the ice, as they aim for gold in the upcoming matches.