Ex-Canucks captain Hughes carries USA closer to gold medal showdown versus Canada at Olympics
Vancouver Canucks fans know the brilliance of Quinn Hughes all too well.
But on the global stage of the Olympics, the rest of the world is beginning to learn just how good he is.
Hughes infamously missed the 4 Nations tournament last year due to injury. He still nearly played, despite dealing with a torn oblique.
At the Olympics, however, the United States has a fully healthy Hughes. And on Wednesday, the whole world saw the impact he can have.
After Sweden tied the game 1-1 in the dying minutes of the third period, the former Vancouver Canucks captain scored the overtime winner, sending his country to the semi-finals at the Olympics.
So far at these Olympics, the Americans have been playing Hughes like their number one defenceman. During their last game against Germany, Hughes played nearly 22 minutes. No other U.S. skater crested the 20-minute mark.
On Wednesday, in a do-or-die situation, Hughes’ ice time got another bump.
He played 27:31 overall against Sweden. No other U.S. player got more than 20 minutes of ice time aside from Jack Eichel (21:24).
So far at these Olympics, the 26-year-old has one goal and six points in four games. That ties him with Auston Matthews for the United States team lead.
While Canucks fans may be crying, the general manager who acquired him, Bill Guerin, was seen jumping for jubilation in the United States press box.
There’s now just four teams remaining in the Olympics, and a gold-medal showdown between Canada and the United States is very much on the line.
If Canada beats Finland, and the United States defeats Slovakia, then the two North American heavyweights will meet for a chance at Olympic glory on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 5:10 a.m. PT.