Teddy Ricketson
The United States has advanced to the semifinals in men’s ice hockey. Team USA used a 2-1 overtime win over Sweden to advance to a semifinal match against Slovakia, with the winner playing for gold.
The U.S. has struggled on offense, and that continued in the first period of the win over Sweden, with neither team scoring. Team USA netted a second-period goal for the lead, but then saw it evaporate right at the end of the third period.
In overtime, Quinn Hughes was putting it all on the line for the United States. He was on the ice for Team USA’s final two shifts in regulation and then right into three and a half minutes of overtime. The decision from him and the coaching staff proved fruitful as he scored the game-winning goal to help Team USA avoid a quarterfinal scare against Sweden.
Here is more on Hughes’ game-winning goal.
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In the quarterfinals stage, there is a 10-minute sudden-death overtime period, but it is 3-on-3 before going to a shootout.
Hughes skated around the center of the ice on Sweden’s side. He was looking for his opportunity and then took it. Hughes whipped the puck toward the net and snuck it inside the post.
QUINN HUGHES! USA WINS! 🦅 pic.twitter.com/WxbCRKxPiO
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The United States beat Sweden 2-1 in overtime.
Neither team were able to get on the board in the first period. Dylan Larkin scored a goal with nine minutes left in the second period to put the U.S. up one. That lead held until Mika Zibanejad scored with a minute and a half left in regulation.
Hughes’ goal came three and a half minutes into overtime to push the United States into a semifinal matchup with Slovakia.
MORE: How does ice hockey overtime work in the Olympics?
Teddy Ricketson is a Digital Content Producer at The Sporting News. He joined the team in 2024 after spending the last three years writing for Vox Media as part of its DK Nation/Network team. Teddy does his best to support the South Carolina Gamecocks and Carolina Panthers, but tends to have more fun cheering on the Atlanta Braves. In his free time, he loves spending time with his wife, Brooke, and their two dogs, Bo and Hootie.
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