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With a game-winning goal in overtime, Quinn Hughes has sent the United States men’s hockey team through to the semifinals of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Hughes sealed a 2-1 win over Sweden on Wednesday, and the Americans are through to the medal round to face Slovakia in the semifinals.

The Americans held a 1-0 lead for much of the contest, but a late goal by Sweden’s Mika Zibanejad tied the game with just 1:31 left in regulation. The game went into a 10-minute three-on-three period, and the Americans regrouped to control overtime and pull out the win.

On the game-winning goal, Hughes used his elite skating and stick-handling to create just enough space for a powerful wrist shot that beat Swedish goalie Jacob Markstrom.

Dylan Larkin, who his best game of the tournament, scored the other goal for the Americans as he turned in his best performance of these Olympics. Larkin was also key in disrupting Sweden’s only power play of the game, which came in the third period. Connor Hellebuyck was nearly perfect in goal as he turned away 28 of the 29 Swedish shots that came his way. 

It was a little too close for comfort, but Team USA will face Slovakia on Friday. The Slovakians, led by Montreal Canadiens star Juraj Slafkovsky, have been on a magical run thus far. Puck drop for that matchup is set for 3:10 p.m. ET.

Since NHL players first went to the Olympics in 1998, the Americans have never medaled outside of North America. Will that change in Italy now that they’re in the medal round?

U.S. men’s hockey schedule

All times Eastern

Preliminary round

  • Thursday, Feb. 12: USA 5, Latvia 1
  • Saturday, Feb. 14: USA 6, Denmark 3
  • Sunday, Feb. 15: USA 5, Germany 1

Quarterfinal

  • Wednesday, Feb. 18: USA 2, Sweden 1 (OT)

Semifinal

  • USA vs. Slovakia | Friday, Feb. 20 | 3:10 p.m. | NBC

Bronze medal game

  • TBD vs. TBD | Saturday, Feb. 21 | 2:10 p.m. | TBD

Gold medal game

  • TBD vs. TBD | Sunday, Feb. 22 | 8:10 a.m. | TBD