USA Advances to Semifinals with 2-1 Victory Over Sweden
Dylan Larkin scored the game-winner in regulation as Team USA defeated Sweden 2-1 in overtime at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics quarterfinals, keeping the Americans’ medal hopes alive and securing a spot in the final four.
Larkin netted the opening goal in the second period to give the United States a 1-0 lead, but Sweden’s Mika Zibanejad answered back with just over 90 seconds remaining in regulation to force the matchup into three-on-three overtime.
The decisive moment came quickly in the extra frame. Quinn Hughes found the back of the net in under four minutes of overtime play, sealing a 2-1 victory for Team USA and propelling the squad forward in the tournament.
Semifinal Matchup Set for February 20
The United States will face Slovakia in the men’s hockey semifinal on February 20. Slovakia advanced to the final four after dominating Germany 6-2 in its quarterfinal contest, with Pavol Regenda, Milos Kelemen, Oliver Okuliar, Dalibor Dvorsky, and Tomas Tatar combining for five goals in the rout.
“We are happy, we are a great team, from first to last,” Regenda said after Slovakia’s victory. “Everybody is working 200% every day and you can see out there.”
Complete Semifinal Bracket
The men’s hockey semifinals on February 20 will feature:
- USA vs. Slovakia
- Canada vs. Finland
Canada secured its place with a 4-3 overtime victory against Czechia, while Finland survived its own overtime battle, edging Sweden 3-2 to advance from the quarterfinals.
