MILAN — When the U.S. gave up a tying goal to Sweden with 91 seconds left in the quarterfinals at the Olympics, even the most seasoned players were on edge.
“That’s as nervous as I’ve been ever in a hockey game,” American forward Dylan Larkin said.
After plenty of nerves, the U.S. is moving on to the semifinals, though it took a roller coaster of emotions to get there.
Quinn Hughes scored in overtime to put the U.S. past Sweden, 2-1, after Sweden’s Mika Zibanejad scored to tie it late.
“Just relief,” Hughes said.
Hughes, a Minnesota Wild defenseman, circled around the ice before skating into the high slot and blasting a shot between two defenders and past Swedish goalie Jacob Markstrom.
The game began like a heavyweight title fight, with both teams cautiously probing the other for weaknesses. The U.S. finally found one midway through the second period with Larkin, a Detroit Red Wings forward, deflecting in a one-timer from Jack Hughes at the blue line.
Hughes’ shot was headed directly into the pads of Markstrom, who was perfectly positioned for an easy save, before Larkin, perched on the doorstep, reached out to deflect the puck by Markstrom on his glove side. Markstrom was otherwise spectacular, making 38 saves — two with his helmeted head — and deserved a better fate.
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.
The results keep alive the possibility of the North American rivals meeting in the gold-medal game Sunday. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped 28 of the 29 shots he faced, none more important than a Grade-A chance by Lucas Raymond during the second period.
The U.S. will face Slovakia in one semifinal Friday night. Just before that, Canada plays Finland in the other.
“It’s gonna be an extremely hard test,” Hughes said of Slovakia. “They’ve been rolling. They’re competitive. They’re fast. Doesn’t matter how many superstars you have, just the desperation level’s so high. It’s Game 7 every night now.”
The U.S. men haven’t stood on the podium at the end of an Olympic hockey tournament in 16 years and haven’t played for a medal in 12.
In fact, it’s been so long since an American hockey team took home a prize from the Winter Games none of the players on this year’s team, the second youngest in the Milan-Cortina competition, had finished high school the last time it happened.
Finland 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, whereas upstart Slovakia is making another improbable run at the Games after a 6-2 rout of Germany on Wednesday.
