United States and Canada advance in OT thrillers; men’s hockey final four set at Olympics
US head coach Mike Sullivan instructed the men’s hockey group previous to the quarterfinal matchup with Sweden to think about it a “Game 7.”
The showdown lived as much as its billing — even higher than playoff hockey — because the American squad defeated Sweden 2-1 in an extra time thriller.
An thrilling day of hockey throughout, Wednesday marked the primary time in Olympic quarterfinal-round historical past that three men’s hockey video games have been determined in extra time.
The first interval for the US and Sweden was a good one. After 20 minutes, they have been tied in nearly each class with ten pictures apiece.
Team USA lastly obtained an edge 11 minutes into the second when Dylan Larkin got on the board to provide the US a 1-0 lead. Larkin’s objective proved to be the one one in regulation for the US
“Scoring first and I thought we had the edge in shots and wearing them down,” Larkin said after the game. “But they pushed in the third [period] and got one late, but I felt we deserved to win and we did.”
It appeared as if the United States would maintain on to cruise fortunately into the final four of the men’s Olympic hockey match, however Sweden’s Mika Zibanejad had different plans. He scored with simply over a minute and a half to go in the third interval to ship the sport to extra time, tied up 1-1.
“That is as nervous as I have ever been in a hockey game,” Larkin stated. The approach 3-on-3 goes [in overtime]it’s about being opportunistic. Someone may fall, the puck may bounce, something can occur, particularly with the ice on the market.”
The three-on-three overtime period lasted under four minutesand it was 26-year-old Quinn Hughes who proved to be the hero in further time.
Quinn Hughes of Team UA celebrates his profitable objective in extra time in opposition to Sweden in a men’s ice hockey quarterfinal throughout the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
Amber Searls-Imagn Images
“I calmed down a lot when I saw Quinn with it and was glad we got that guy,” Larkin stated.
Hughes found the back of the net to maintain Team USA’s medal hopes alive with a 2-1 win over Sweden. The extra time winner was the primary objective of the match for Hughes and could not have come at a greater time.
Hughes after that the sport may have gone both approach in the top.
“Got lucky. Kind of got the defenders in the position that I wanted and was able to get the shot off,” he stated. “[Sweden’s] one of the best countries in the world. “They’ve obtained superstars in all places.”
US goalie Connor Hellebuyck recorded 28 saves in the quarterfinal contest.
The United States advances to the semifinal on Feb. 20 in opposition to Slovakia.
“It was a great hockey game and I couldn’t be more proud of our guys,” Sullivan said after the game. “We’ll take pleasure in tonight and then flip our consideration to Slovakia.”
