![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] United States forward Dylan Larkin (21) during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game against Canada at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_122,w_3723,h_2094/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/76/01khsbv5p0xddxfbx8aa.jpg "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] United States forward Dylan Larkin (21) during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game against Canada at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images")
Wednesday featured four quarterfinal games, with four spots in the semifinals on the line. Detroit Red Wings fans saw defenseman Moritz Seider get sent home early after Germany lost to Slovakia in the first game of the day. That left one game for the Detroit faithful to watch, the United States vs. Sweden, Dylan Larkin against Lucas Raymond. One would earn a spot in the semifinals to get one step closer to winning Olympic gold, while the other goes back to Detroit to begin early preparation for the resumption of the regular season.
After a scoreless first period, Larkin broke the tie with the very first goal of the game after tipping in a slap shot from New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes to sneak it past Sweden goaltender Jacob Markstom. This was Larkin's first goal of the Olympics.
NBC Sports' Mike Tirico aptly called this goal the "All-Michigan goal," as Larkin received the assist from Jack and his older brother Quinn Hughes.
Dylan Larkin scores 'All-Michigan goal' with help from Jack and Quinn Hughes in quarterfinals vs. Sweden
Larkin grew up in Waterford, Michigan. The Hughes brothers and Larkin spent time in Plymouth as part of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. Not to mention, Quinn and Larkin both played for the University of Michigan hockey team. Meanwhile, Tirico himself is a Michigander as well, calling Ann Arbor his home.
Talk about a cool moment, as this trio of players, with deep Michigan ties, all accouting for a goal to try and help the United States in their quest to win the country's first gold medal in men's ice hockey since 1980.
There could have been a reality in which Larkin and Quinn were on the same time in Detroit. As Quinn was placed on the trade block by the Vancouver Canucks, it was reported by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman that the defenseman wanted to be traded to the Red Wings. The problem was, Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman didn't want to make the trade and give up premium assets unless there was a guarantee Quinn would sign a contract extension. Talks obviously fell through, and Quinn was traded to Minnesota. There is always the chance that Quinn could sign with the Red Wings in 2027 when his contract runs out.
Regardless, Michigan hockey fans had to be thrilled seeing all three players with ties to the state account for the go-ahead goal in a win-or-go-home game against Sweden.