USA and Canada Survive Olympic OT Thrillers
Team USA defeated Sweden 2-1 in overtime as Quinn Hughes scored just 3:27 into the extra period, sending the Americans to the Olympic men's hockey semifinals where they'll face Slovakia. Canada also advanced with a 4-3 overtime victory over Czechia, with Mitch Marner scoring the winner after Nick Suzuki tied the game with 3:27 remaining in regulation. Both North American teams survived dramatic quarterfinals in Milan-Cortina, keeping their gold medal hopes alive.
- The victory for the United States was a historic one, marking the first time the American men's team has defeated Sweden in the Olympics in 66 years, snapping a nine-game winless streak that dated back to the 1960 Squaw Valley Games. - Sweden forced overtime with just 91 seconds remaining in regulation when forward Mika Zibanejad scored with their goaltender pulled for an extra attacker. - U.S. hero Quinn Hughes has been a standout throughout the tournament, and the overtime winner marked a point in every Olympic game for the defenseman. He and his brother, Jack Hughes, are key offensive contributors for the American team. - Canada captain Sidney Crosby left the quarterfinal game against Czechia in the second period with an injury and did not return. Nick Suzuki, who scored the game-tying goal, was promoted in the lineup to fill the void. - Mitch Marner's overtime goal was the fastest in an Olympic game involving NHL players, coming just 1:22 into the 3-on-3 extra session. - Canadian star Connor McDavid recorded two assists in the quarterfinal, bringing his tournament total to 11 points and tying Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu for the all-time points record in an Olympic tournament featuring NHL players. - Team USA's semifinal opponent, Slovakia, won the bronze medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Their roster features young NHL talent, including 2022 No. 1 draft pick Juraj Slafkovsky. - Canada will face Finland in their semifinal matchup after the Finns defeated Switzerland 3-2 in another overtime quarterfinal.
