Hughes Scores in Overtime to Lift U.S. Past Sweden in Olympic Quarterfinals
Written By Josie Dinonsie
MILAN — Defenseman Quinn Hughes scored the overtime-winning goal to defeat Sweden 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Olympic Games on Wednesday. Hughes secured the win with the game-winning goal and an assist on Dylan Larkin’s second-period goal.
Just over halfway through the game, Larkin struck first for the United States on a redirect off a shot by Jack Hughes, set up by a Quinn Hughes pass. The goal stemmed from a strong U.S. faceoff, where the Americans won the puck back to the Hughes brothers near the blue line.
The battle between the teams was no blowout. Sweden continued to push throughout the game and tied it with 90 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime.
After Sweden pulled goalie Jacob Markstrom with 1:44 left, Mika Zibanejad scored just seven seconds later, sending a one-timer past Connor Hellebuyck to extend the game beyond regulation.
The United States did not let the pressure get to it after surrendering the late goal. Hughes ended the game just over three minutes into overtime, sending the Americans to the semifinals against Slovakia.
The goal, assisted by Matt Boldy and Auston Matthews, was a wrist shot that rang off the right goal post after Hughes maneuvered through the offensive zone.
Hughes said the win was not guaranteed and that it was a battle that could have gone either way, but the team remained determined heading into overtime.
“That team is one of the best in the world and can beat anyone on any given night.”
“You just pick yourself back up, get ready to go, and I feel like we had an attack mindset in overtime,” Hughes said.
U.S. defenseman Charlie McAvoy spoke about Hughes being a valuable member of the team and said his skill could have been used in last winter’s 4-Nations Face-Off, where the United States fell to Canada in the championship game.
“He’s able to use his edges to find a lane, find an angle, and get that shot off. He factored in both goals tonight for us; he’s kind of that missing x-factor, I think, from the 4-Nations. That's what we’ve been saying to him.”
“He’s been huge for us,” McAvoy said.
Hughes continued to confirm his abilities as one of the top defensemen in the NHL. With his defensive intelligence and offensive finesse, he added to his legacy with Wednesday evening’s win against Sweden.
The goal was significant for the Americans, as the stakes remain high. The U.S. men’s hockey team is seeking its first gold medal since 1980.
Larkin emphasized the emotion of the game and his appreciation for Hughes and the team’s effort to secure the overtime winner.
“That’s as nervous as I’ve ever been in a hockey game, I can say,” he said. “Just the way 3-on-3 goes, it’s just being opportunistic. Someone could fall, the puck could bounce, anything could happen.
“I calmed down a lot when I saw Quinny get it and said, ‘I’m glad we’ve got that guy.’”
The United States continues its quest for gold against Slovakia on Friday at 3:10 p.m. EST.
