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Jake Mozarsky
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The United States were leading Sweden 1-0 through 58 minutes and were moments away from punching a ticket to the 2026 Olympic hockey semifinals. But, when Mika Zibanejad scored an empty netter to tie the game and send it to overtime, every United States hockey fan was worried. Could “the greatest roster ever assembled” actually go home in the quarterfinals.
Before the extra frame, though, cameras panned to the U.S. bench and the players looked calm. Right after it, the Americans dominated overtime against a Sweden team that has a full roster of NHL players, outshooting the three crowns 6-0. The iconic moment was made by Quinn Hughes — who led all skaters in ice time — who ripped his shot into the net for a thrilling 2-1 victory as the U.S. advanced to the Olympic semifinals.
STREAM: Watch USA vs. Sweden hockey game live on Peacock
Team USA was neck-and-neck against a talented Sweden team that entered the Olympics as the third favorite. Through the first 30 minutes, the game remained scoreless with goalies Connor Hellebuyck and Jacob Markstrom making saves. It was a tip in by Dylan Larkin that gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead heading into the third.
In the third, while the U.S. had some chances, it felt like Sweden was too close to equalizing. They outshot the Americans in the final frame, finally scoring with Markstrom pulled; Mika Zibanejad ripped a shot home from the left circle, something NHL fans have become so accustomed to, sending the game to overtime.
Then, between two world hockey powerhouses, it was the United States who came out on top. The Americans had the better of the chances in the overtime period, then it was Hughes — who missed last year’s Four Nations Faceoff with an injury — who used his signature skating then ripped his shot past Markstrom, sending Team USA to the next round.
In a tournament meant to define and inspire the next generation of U.S. hockey, Hughes just delivered a signature moment, getting the Americans one massive step closer to gold. For the first time since 1960, the United States has defeated Sweden in the Olympics.
The Sporting News followed all the action from Team USA’s thrilling victory that fans will remember for a long time, one that sent them to the Olympic semifinals. Check out all the highlights below
MORE 2026 OLYMPICS: Live medal tracker | Viewer's guide | Day-by-day schedule
5:40 GOAL: The United States is moving on with a golden goal.
It’s the leader in ice time and the guy who was missing during the Four Nations Faceoff: Quinnn Hughes. One of the best defensemen in the world outskates his opponent then rips a shot past Markstrom and Milan goes up in cheers.
With it, the United States will move on to the Olympic semifinals. What a game to end the quarterfinals, with three overtimes today. Quinn Hughes is the overtime hero and provided a moment that U.S. hockey fans will remember forever.
QUINN HUGHES! USA WINS! 🦅 pic.twitter.com/WxbCRKxPiO
The U.S. survives and advances.
5:37 p.m.: Two minutes into the extra frame, it’s been the U.S. with the better chances but Markstrom has saved every one.
But, on the other end, Sweden has threatened.
5:30 p.m.: For the third time this quarterfinals, we’re going to overtime.
The U.S. and Sweden are tied after 60 minutes after a late Zibanejad goal. The pressure is on for both the United States and Sweden.
Who will be the hero?
5:27 p.m. GOAL: With Markstrom pulled, Sweden has tied the game.
It’s Zibanejad from his signature one-timer slot, beating Hellebuyck to tie the game at one.
This game is tied with 1:31 remaining
5:22 p.m.: This period, Sweden is outshooting Team USA 8-3. Every time it is in the zone, Sweden players have been crashing in front of Hellebuyck.
5:17 p.m.: We’re under seven minutes.
The Swedes had a player wide open in front, but once again a Hellebuyck stick extinguished the chance.
5:14 p.m.: There’s 8:58 remaining in the third with the game still 1-0. Sanderson gets a shot saved by Markstrom before the goalie covers it up.
The U.S. has had a few chances this period to extend the lead but have been unable to. On the other side, a whole nation holds its breath whenever the Swedes enter the zone.
5:11 p.m.: Sweden is on the front foot looking for the equalizer.
The Swedes were in the American zone for well over a minute, but some good sticks by the U.S. kept the chances minimal. Though, they are pushing.
5:08 p.m.: Right before the commercial break, Lucas Raymond’s shot is swallowed up by Hellebuyck, who is up to 22 saves on the day.
The U.S. is outshooting Sweden 32-22. But, it only leads by one in crunch time.
5:05 p.m.: Shortly after killing the penalty, Noah Hanifin has a shot that goes into Markstrom’s pads. The goalie loses the puck but it stays out.
It’s still 1-0 five minutes into the third.
5:04 p.m.: Mika Zibanejad was all alone to Hellebuyck’s right and would have unleashed a slapshot if Brock Faber did not get a stick on the pass. But, the defenseman tips it into the stands.
Then, the puck is cleared and we’re back at even strength.
5:00 p.m.: Sweden will head to the man advantage for the first time in the game.
It’s Vincent Trocheck who goes to the box after tripping Landeskog, sending the Swedes to the power play. It’s a crucial time for an equalizer.
4:58 p.m.: For the first time today, Jesper Bratt is on the ice for Sweden, his shot poked away by a defender.
The Devils forward did not log a shift in the first two frames.
4:56 p.m.: The puck has dropped in the third period.
It’s do-or-die time for both Team USA and Sweden. One will punch a berth to the Olympic semifinals and the other will see its tournament dreams go up in flames.
4:55 p.m.: The third period is moments away.
Team USA enters the final frame holding onto a 1-0 lead.
4:37 p.m.: The second period is over, with Larkins goal the only breakthrough.
The U.S. dominated the second half, finally breaking the deadlock and have been on the attack since. But, Sweden’s experienced goaltender has stood tall, especially on the late-period man advantage.
There’s 20 more minutes left in this one.
4:36 p.m.: Markstrom is keeping Sweden in the game, making a few more saves on the power play, the last one spiraling on Eichel.
4:33 p.m.: With the clock ticking under three minutes, the United States are going back to the power play.
It’s a tripping penalty on Hampus Lindholm, sending Team USA to the man advantage for the second time.
4:28 p.m.: Since breaking the scoreless tie, the U.S. has had the better of the chances, but Markstrom has been there to make the saves. The last one was on Werenski, where he got his glove on a shot from the left side.
4:25 p.m.: The U.S. is on the front foot, now getting a chance with the Tkachuk brothers on the ice. Brady’s shot is saved by Markstrom, and a scrum breaks out after.
We’re under seven minutes in the second.
4:22 p.m. GOAL: The United States strike first.
It’s Dylan Larkin, who scores his first goal of the tournament on a tip in from a Jack Hughes shot. The Detroit Red Wing elevated the shot right before the goalie could track it.
Just taaaap it in 🚨 #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/IM34GlElxu
With it, Team USA leads 1-0.
4:21 p.m.: Markstrom keeps making the big saves when Sweden needs them most.
He gives up a rebound on a Quinn Hughes shot, but the puck bounces to Charlie McAvoy; though, Markstrom is there to track it.
4:19 p.m.: Now, it’s Eichel who walks in and brings the puck to his forehand. He gets Markstrom to dive but puts it over the net.
We’re more than halfway through and the game stays scoreless.
4:17 p.m.: With 10:10 left in the second, the puck will drop in the U.S. zone after two saves by Hellebuyck.
The first was on Raymond, with the puck dribbling past him. Then, a shot from the point is swallowed up.
4:16 p.m.: Team USA might have had it’s best chance of the game, with Jake Guentzel getting a feed from Matthews right in front of Markstrom, but it’s saved.
No. 59 tried going five hole, but Markstrom’s stick was there to keep the game 0-0.
4:11 p.m.: At the first break in the second period, it’s been Sweden who has been the better team.
It feels like the Swedes are faster to the puck. But, some chances have went wide of the net.
4:05 p.m.: The first real chance of the period comes from Tage Thompson, who gets a slapshot from the left circle, but once again, it goes into Markstrom’s chest.
4:02 p.m.: The second period is underway with the U.S. and Sweden still tied.
Both teams are looking to break the ice.
3:44 p.m.: The first period has concluded in Milan with the game still 0-0.
This has been a back-and-forth affair, with both teams getting a fair share of chances. Though, the goalies have stood tall.
Let’s see who breaks the deadlock in the second.
3:41 p.m.: Hellebuyck has made some big saves to keep the game scoreless. Here, he gets his pad on a shot from Rasmus Dahlin for his 10th of the day.
3:36 p.m.: Now, the puck trickles to Jaccob Slavin, who has his one-timer blocked by Markstrom.
A few seconds later, Jack Hughes has a chance and his slapshot is swallowed up by the Swedish goaltender, who is up to 10 saves on the day.
3:32 p.m.: With 6:40 remaining, the U.S. and Sweden remain in a stalemate.
Shots are 8-8 in what’s been an even game so far.
3:26 p.m.: Markstrom keeps the game 0-0, with Eichel getting a shot from the left circle but the goaltender sweeping it up.
3:23 p.m.: 10 minutes in and the game is 0-0.
Both the U.S. and Sweden have had opportunities, but the game stays deadlocked.
3:22 p.m.: Sweden has been the better team since the power play, controlling most of the play in the offensive zone.
The Swedes have levelled the U.S. in shots, rattling off six straight.
3:20 p.m.: Sweden has its first shot, with Lucas Raymond’s shot getting paved away by Connor Hellebuyck’s blocker.
They follow it with another sustained period in the USA zone, getting three shots.
3:18 p.m.: The power play is killed, with the U.S. getting three shots.
The shot margin is 6-0 early in the game.
3:17 p.m.: The U.S. has had its chances in the power play. First, it was Auston Matthews getting a shot from the point, then a sequence later Brady Tkachuk’s shot is saved by Markstrom’s pad.
3:15 p.m.: We have our first penalty today, and it’s against Sweden.
Jack Eichel gets a defender to bite on a deke before his backhand is saved by Markstrom, but there is a slashing penalty on Gustav Forsling.
It sends the U.S. to the power play; the team has converted 3-of-7 tries this tournament.
3:13 p.m.: Now, it’s the U.S. with some time in the offensive zone.
Zach Werenski’s shot is saved by Jacob Markstrom, then a Quinn Hughes shot is wide.
3:12 p.m.: Sweden has its first real time in the zone, with the Colorado Avalanche‘s Gabriel Landeskog ripping a shot wide.
It goes back to the Swedish zone as the clock goes under 19 minutes.
3:11 p.m.: We are underway in Milan.
THE STARS AND STRIPES HAVE ARRIVED. 🇺🇸 #WinterOlympics
📺: 3:10pm ET on NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/7qWvfp8JtZ
For the U.S., it’s the Tkachuks and Jack Eichel to start off.
3:08 p.m.: The teams are making their way onto the ice.
First, it’s Sweden, the No. 6 seed looking to pull off an upset. They’re followed by the Americans, who are looking to defeat Sweden at the Olympics for the first time since 1960.
3:02 p.m.: It’s the top of the hour and the final quarterfinal is minutes away.
Fast breaks ahead. 🚨
Don’t miss the U.S. men’s ice hockey team take on Sweden in the quarterfinals live on @peacock and @nbc. #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/kTJ6m7n55Q
Will it be Team USA or Sweden moving on?
2:54 p.m.: We have one more quarterfinal game to decide.
After Finland’s overtime win against Switzerland, here’s how the semifinal matchups would look depending on USA-Sweden.
So, here’s what we are looking at:
If USA wins tonight, semis will be Canada/Finland & USA/Slovakia
If Sweden wins, semis will be Canada/Sweden & Slovakia/Finland
2:43 p.m.: The U.S. knows what’s on the line today. It’s a best of one.
Gotta keep leveling up🇺🇸 #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/Q7hEWkom50
2:36 p.m.: Team USA has arrived.
Fresh looks for the quarters 🥶 #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/uGBavinVa3
For the second time, the Americans don their blue tracksuits, symboling that they will be wearing blue jerseys for today’s contest.
2:28 p.m.: On the other side, Sweden rolls with pretty much the same lineup from the win against Latvia.
🇺🇸 USA – Sverige 🇸🇪
Jesper Bratt tillbaka som 13:e forward, Marcus Johansson på läktaren tillsammans med Filip Gustavsson och Rasmus Andersson. pic.twitter.com/uAb46ZfbPG
2:12 p.m.: The lineup is out for Team USA.
Line it up for the quarters! 🇺🇸 #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/Qyv1JjCLac
There aren’t any major changes from the group stage, except for Vincent Trocheck being the extra forward and Clayton Keller slotting into the lineup.
1:50 p.m.: Every time the U.S. steps on the ice, it plays with a heavy heart in honor of Johnny Gaudreau.
Gaudreau, who was killed in a drunk driving crash in summer 2024, has represented Team USA on the international stage and most think he have been on the Milan team.
For Johnny, always. ❤️💙#CBJ | @BlueJacketsNHL pic.twitter.com/lrxAVIclBz
Now, his jersey hangs in the Team USA locker room.
1:39 p.m.: Some more pregame notes: Team USA is looking to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2014, which was the last time NHL players were in the games.
Quarterfinal notes! ⬇️#WinterOlympics game preview: https://t.co/RmAze8ztYY pic.twitter.com/X0N8DOiuJD
1:32 p.m.: The U.S. is looking for its first gold medal since the Miracle on Ice, and with Sweden on the agenda today fans remember this famous scene.
Who we playing rammer? pic.twitter.com/ZfbqfkcTW4
1:16 p.m.: Two teams have punched their tickets to the semifinals.
First, it was Slovakia, who pummeled Germany. Then, in a shocking game, the favorite Canada squeaked by Czechia in overtime thanks to a Mitch Marner goal.
1:09 p.m.: People have traveled from far to watch Team USA, and now, it’s time to bring the energy.
Time to bring the energy tonight! 🇺🇸 #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/kMmsDdnGj0
1:00 p.m.: Sweden secured their place in the quarterfinals with a dominant 5-1 victory over Latvia, led by multi-point performances from Gabriel Landeskog, Mika Zibanejad, and William Nylander.
The game was effectively decided early in the first period when Adrian Kempe and Landeskog scored just 41 seconds apart to give the Swedes a lead they never relinquished.
While Latvia managed to cut the deficit to 3-1 in the second, Sweden’s suffocating puck possession and a 20-save effort from Jacob Markstrom allowed them to close out the win and set up their high-stakes meeting with the United States.
12:40 p.m.: History is not on the side of the U.S.
You have to go all the way back to 1960 to find Team USA’s last win over its opponent.
Amazing stat from @jasondemers5
USA men have not beaten Sweden in the Olympics since February of 1960.
They’ve either lost or tied each of their last 8 matchups 👀👀
USA and Sweden will face-off tomorrow night in an elimination game 🇺🇸🇸🇪
Today, the “greatest roster ever assembled” looks to break an eight-game non-win streak.
12:25 p.m.: The men’s team isn’t the only one going for gold, with the Team USA women’s team playing Canada in the gold medal game on Thursday.
Today, captain Hilary Knight got engaged to her fellow partner, fellow Olympian Brittney Bowe.
Team USA women’s hockey star Hilary Knight got engaged to partner Brittany Bowe, also an Olympian at the #WinterOlympics 🥹💍 pic.twitter.com/couIGSdd2h
12:06 p.m.: In goal for the United States: Connor Hellebuyck.
Hellebuyck is in tonight for the Red, White and Blue! #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/IafX5BEALQ
The reigning Vezina Trophy winner has given up two goals this tournament.
12:03 p.m.: It’s do-or-die time for Team USA.
Game 7 mindset. 🇺🇸
The U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team faces Sweden in a tournament advancing quarterfinal at the 2026 #WinterOlympics today at 3:10 p.m. ET on NBC & Peacock.
Feature story: https://t.co/1wNCj0dGvB pic.twitter.com/BIWeZMuvIi
Today, the knockout stages get underway with a matchup against Sweden, one of the other hockey powerhouses in the world. The Swedes are coming off a 5-1 win over Latvia in the playoff round.
MORE OLYMPIC HOCKEY NEWS:
The United States’ quarterfinal matchup against Sweden will begin at 3:10 p.m. ET from Milan.
NBC will have coverage of the USA vs. Sweden quarterfinal game. Additionally, the game can be live-streamed on Peacock.
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Jake Mozarsky joined The Sporting News as an Editorial Intern in August 2025 after earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University. He has previously written for Marquee Sports Network, Chicago This Week, Inside NU and The Daily Northwestern.