Updated Feb 16, 2022 - Sports

U.S. men's hockey team crashes out of Winter Olympics

Matt Knies #67 of Team USA and Martin Gernat #28 of Slovakia fall pursuing the puck in overtime during the Men’s Ice Hockey Quarterfinal match at the Beijing Olympics Feb. 16.

Matt Knies (67) of Team USA and Martin Gernat (28) of Team Slovakia fall while pursuing the puck in overtime of the men’s Ice hockey quarterfinal match on Day 12 of the 2022 Winter Olympics at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing. Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

The top-seeded American hockey team is out of Beijing Winter Olympics medal contention after losing 3-2 to Slovakia in a shootout on Wednesday.

Details: The Americans came from behind in the second period to lead 2-1, but Slovakia's Marek Hrivik scored with 43.7 seconds left in regulation to force the game into overtime at Beijing's National Indoor Stadium.

  • No one scored in the 10-minute extra period and only one player converted his attempt in the shootout, Slovakia’s Peter Cehlarik.

Between the lines: NHL players are not taking part in the tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They also didn't play in the 2018 Games.

Flashback: The U.S. also failed to make the Olympic semifinals four years ago.

What's next: The U.S. women's hockey team plays Canada's for the gold medal at 11pm ET on Wednesday.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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