Quinn Hughes’ OT goal lifts U.S. past Sweden in Olympic quarterfinals

Associated Press AP Wed, Feb 18, 2026 • 06:02 PM

The United States’ Quinn Hughes celebrates after scoring the winning goal against Sweden during overtime in a quarterfinal at the Olympics on Wednesday. (AP)

MILAN — Quinn Hughes scored in overtime to propel the U.S. past Sweden, 2-1, in an Olympic quarterfinal game Wednesday.

The winner came after Mika Zibanejad tied things with 91 seconds left in the third period. Dylan Larkin deflected Jack Hughes’ shot in for the only U.S. goal in regulation.

The U.S. will face Slovakia in one semifinal Friday night. Just before that, unbeaten Canada plays Finland in the other.

Earlier Wednesday, Nick Suzuki tied it for Canada late in regulation against Czechia, and Mitch Marner won it 4-3 in overtime to avoid what would have been a stunning early exit.

Finland also escaped an upset bid by rallying to beat Switzerland, 3-2, in OT. Sweden is going home early from a tournament that did not go as planned for a team with a full roster of 25 NHL players, while upstart Slovakia is making another improbable run at the Games after a 6-2 rout of Germany on Wednesday.