USA Advances to Olympic Semifinals After Thrilling Overtime Victory Against Sweden
The USA men’s ice hockey team is heading to the semifinals of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics after a dramatic 2-1 overtime win against Sweden. The game, a nail-biter from start to finish, saw the Americans secure their spot in the final four with a golden goal from Quinn Hughes.
A Tense Match-Up
The game remained scoreless through the first period, with both teams playing cautiously. Dylan Larkin broke the deadlock for the USA in the second period, giving his team a 1-0 lead. Yet, Sweden refused to concede, and Mika Zibanejad managed to tie the game in the dying minutes, forcing the match into overtime.
Hughes Seals the Victory in Overtime
Overtime proved to be a thrilling affair, with both teams pushing for the winning goal. It was Quinn Hughes who delivered, scoring a powerful shot from distance to secure the 2-1 victory for the USA. This was the third overtime game in the quarterfinal stage of the tournament.
USA to Face Slovakia in the Semifinals
With the win, the USA will now face Slovakia in the semifinals. Slovakia previously defeated Germany 6-2. The other semifinal will pit Canada against Finland, who overcame Switzerland 3-2 in overtime.
Other Quarterfinal Results
Canada also needed overtime to defeat Czechia 4-3, while Finland edged out Switzerland 3-2 after extra time. These results set the stage for an exciting semifinal round.
Semifinal Schedule
Friday, February 20th
- 17:40 – Canada vs. Finland
- 22:10 – USA vs. Slovakia
Did you know?
This marks the USA’s first return to the Olympic semifinals since 2014, when NHL players last participated in the Olympic tournament.
FAQ
- What was the final score of the USA vs. Sweden game? The final score was 2-1 in favor of the USA.
- Who scored the winning goal for the USA? Quinn Hughes scored the winning goal in overtime.
- Who will the USA play in the semifinals? The USA will play Slovakia in the semifinals.
- When are the semifinals being played? The semifinals are being played on Friday, February 20th.
Stay tuned for more updates from the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics!
