Team USA ice hockey star Quinn Hughes expressed love for his country after slotting through an overtime goal to advance to the semifinals at the Winter Olympics.
Hughes’ stunning effort came during a nail-biter against Sweden that had the nation on the edge of its seat.
The Americans led for a majority of the contest before Mika Zibanejad tied the game with less than two minutes left to force an extra period of 3-on-3 action.
Then, in a heroic moment, Hughes’ wrist shot from the slot beat Sweden’s Jacob Markstrom on his glove-side to win the game and set up a semifinal clash with Slovakia.
As chants of ‘U-S-A, U-S-A’ rang out in Milan, the star defenseman for the Minnesota Wild shared his feelings with reporters about the support in the stands.
‘It’s special,’ Hughes revealed. ‘I love the US, and it’s the greatest country in the world. So, I’m happy to represent here with these guys, and it was very special.’
Team USA hockey hero Quinn Hughes called America the ‘greatest country in the world’
Hughes’ (blue, center) goal in overtime gave the Americans a shaky win over Sweden
The US is favored to reach the gold medal game, where they will likely face Canada
Hughes’ comments come amid a Winter Olympics where some Team USA athletes used their platform to decry the political climate of the country, as well as the Trump Administration.
Skiers Hunter Hess and Chris Lillis, curler Rich Ruohonen and figure skater Amber Glenn were among some of the athletes who voiced their concerns for their home nation. This drew a mix of praise and criticism.
But after Hughes’ words, fans were quick to praise him as a patriot: ‘American Hero Quinn Hughes,’ wrote one user on X.
Another comment read, ‘This is how every member of Team USA should talk to the cynical media.’
‘Quinn Hughes is a true Olympian and a real Patriot. This is how it’s done. Others should take note,’ another fan posted to the site.
‘This is how every athlete that represents the USA should be!!’ read another comment.
The United States is favored to beat Slovakia and reach the gold medal game. If they do so, they will likely face Canada in a re-match of last winter’s 4 Nations Faceoff exhibition.