Olympic Ice Hockey Updates: USA Advances to Semis with Hughes' OT Winner, Larkin Strike
2/12/2026 10:09:00 PM | Ice Hockey, Olympics
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Team USA leaned on its Michigan roots in the quarterfinals, with former Wolverines scoring both goals in the 2-1 overtime win over Sweden.
Quinn Hughes delivered the game-winner in overtime, ripping a shot from the high slot at 3:27 of the 10-minute 3-on-3 period to seal the victory.
Dylan Larkin opened the scoring midway through the second period, netting his first goal of the Olympics with a redirection of a shot from Jack Hughes to give the United States a 1-0 lead. Quinn Hughes started the play, earning his fifth assist of the tournament with the initial pass to his brother, Jack Hughes.
Sweden pulled its goaltender for an extra attacker late in regulation, capitalizing with the tying goal to force overtime. Team USA controlled much of the play, outshooting Sweden, 40-29, while finishing 0-for-2 on the power play and a perfect 1-for-1 on the penalty kill.
The U.S. will face Slovakia in the semifinals on Friday.
Sunday, Feb. 15
Three former Wolverines found the scoresheet Sunday (Feb. 15) as Team USA defeated Germany, 5-1, in its final preliminary-round game. Zach Werenski netted his first Olympic goal with nine seconds remaining in the opening period to give the Americans a 1-0 lead.
Quinn Hughes extended his point streak to three straight when he rifled a shot on goal that went off the goaltender's chest and to the blade of Austin Matthews, who buried it to make it 2-0 with a power-play goal early in the second.
USA added another in the middle frame to carry a 3-0 lead into the locker room. Dylan Larkin recorded the primary assist on the Americans' fourth goal less than two minutes into the third period. Team USA added its fifth tally five minutes later before Germany broke through midway through the period.
With the win, Team USA claimed the Group C title and secured a bye directly into the quarterfinals. The Americans earned the tournament's No. 2 seed based on goals scored and will face the winner of Sweden/Latvia on Wednesday (Feb. 18).
Saturday, Feb. 14
Team USA earned a 6–3 victory over Denmark on Saturday (Feb. 14), improving to 2-0 and moving atop Group C with one preliminary-round game remaining. Denmark grabbed a 2-1 lead after the opening period, but the Americans responded with three straight goals in the second to take a 4–2 advantage. The Danes pulled back within one heading into the third before Team USA sealed the win with two additional tallies.
The United States outshot Denmark, 47-21, went 0-for-2 on the power play, and finished a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill. Quinn Hughes extended his point streak with a primary assist on the team's opening goal, led the squad in ice time for the second consecutive game (23:06), and finished plus-two alongside defenseman Zach Werenski.
Team USA is poised for a top-two seed in the knockout round and can cap an unbeaten preliminary slate with a victory over Germany on Sunday (Feb. 15) afternoon.
Thursday, Feb. 12
University of Michigan ice hockey alumnus Quinn Hughes had two assists as Team USA opened the Games with a 5-1 win over Latvia on Thursday (Feb. 12), while leading all skaters in ice time at 21:29. Zach Werenski set up USA's first goal less than six minutes into the game. He nearly had a helper on near Dylan Larkin goal just 1:39 into the game when Larkin tried to bury a Werenski rebound. Latvia tallied the equalizer in the first period, which saw two USA goals get called back.
After that, it was all Red, White and Blue as it notched three goals in the second period to chase Latvia's starting netminder. USA added one more in the third, converting on its second of three power-play chances.
Team USA, now 1-0, outshot Latvia, 38-18, in the opening Group C preliminary round matchup, and will face Denmark on Saturday (Feb. 14) as preliminary round play continues.
Schedule, Results and Statistics
Quinn Hughes (USA)
| Date | Opponent | Score | Â Â GÂ Â | Â Â AÂ Â | Â Â PÂ Â | SOG | PIM | Â +/-Â | TOI |
| Thu, Feb. 12 | Latvia (Group C) | W, 5-1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 21:19 |
| Sat, Feb. 14 | Denmark (Group C) | W, 6-3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 23:06 |
| Sun, Feb. 15 | Germany (Group C) | W, 5-1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +1 | 21:59 |
| Wed, Feb. 18 | Sweden (Quarterfinals) | W, 2-1 (OT) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 0 | +1 | 27:31 |
| Stat Totals | 4-0 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 0 | +6 | -- |
Zach Werenski (USA)
| Date | Opponent | Score | Â Â GÂ Â | Â Â AÂ Â | Â Â PÂ Â | SOG | PIM | Â +/-Â | TOI |
| Thu, Feb. 12 | Latvia (Group C) | W, 5-1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | +1 | 17:15 |
| Sat, Feb. 14 | Denmark (Group C) | W, 6-3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +2 | 18:12 |
| Sun, Feb. 15 | Germany (Group C) | W, 5-1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | +1 | 19:30 |
| Wed, Feb. 18 | Sweden (Quarterfinals) | W, 2-1 (OT) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | E | 14:56 |
| Stat Totals | 4-0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 2 | +3 | -- |
Dylan Larkin (USA)
| Date | Opponent | Score | Â Â GÂ Â | Â Â AÂ Â | Â Â PÂ Â | SOG | PIM | Â +/-Â | TOI |
| Thu, Feb. 12 | Latvia (Group C) | W, 5-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | E | 13:52 |
| Sat, Feb. 14 | Denmark (Group C) | W, 6-3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | E | 12:31 |
| Sun, Feb. 15 | Germany (Group C) | W, 5-1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +1 | 15:57 |
| Wed, Feb. 18 | Sweden (Quarterfinals) | W, 2-1 (OT) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | +1 | 14:58 |
| Stat Totals | 4-0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 4 | +2 | -- |
Kyle Connor (USA)
| Date | Opponent | Score | Â Â GÂ Â | Â Â AÂ Â | Â Â PÂ Â | SOG | PIM | Â +/-Â | TOI |
| Thu, Feb. 12 | Latvia (Group C) | W, 5-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | E | 11:20 |
| Sat, Feb. 14 | Denmark (Group C) | W, 6-3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 9:50 |
| Sun, Feb. 15 | Germany (Group C) | W, 5-1 | Did not play | ||||||
| Wed, Feb. 18 | Sweden (Quarterfinals) | W, 2-1 (OT) | Did not play | ||||||
| Stat Totals | 4-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1Â | -- | |
