Team USA looks on after a 3-2 shootout loss to team Slovakia during Men’s Quarterfinal Round action at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at National Indoor Stadium on February 16, 2022 in Beijing, China. Photo: USA Hockey/Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images.

BEIJING — The USA men’s hockey team suffered a premature Olympic tournament exit after the top-seeded-Americans conceded a late goal and were stunned by Slovakia in a shootout 1-0.

“It’s a tough pill to swallow,” U.S. head coach David Quinn said. “No disrespect for Slovakia or anybody else but we felt good about the direction of our team and the way we were playing.”

Despite leading for a majority of the contest after a goal from Sam Hentges during the second period, the U.S. surrendered a goal to Slovakia with just 44 seconds left in regulation to tie things at two-a-piece and force a three-on-three overtime period.

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But after 10 minutes of high-intensity hockey, and several opportunities that easily could’ve won the game for either side, a shootout was required in order to decide a winner.

Shockingly, the United States was unsuccessful on all five shots against Slovakian goaltender Patrik Rybar, who was simply a stone-cold-wall and refused to concede a goal to the Americans. On the flip side, USA goaltender Strauss Mann was good but not good enough as he was beaten by former Boston Bruin Peter Cehlarik for the only goal of the shootout.

Slovakia advances to the semis after winning the shootout against Team USA.#WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/cQ7uhZcyYv

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 16, 2022

As the United States yet again failed to secure a medal for the third-straight Olympics, the victory by Slovakia meant the world to their nation as they stunned a hungry American team that seemed destined for a medal.

President of the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation Miroslav Šatan shared a video of young players watching their national heroes win, which perfectly illustrates what the victory meant.

While we had our olympic shootout vs USA in China..this is how early morning practice looked like in many small arenas in Slovakia..🤷🏻‍♂️🤣🤣🤜🏻🤛🏻👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/Hipex9Yegv

— Miroslav Šatan (@miro81s) February 16, 2022

All eyes now shift to the women’s team as the U.S. looks to defend their 2018 PyeongChang title in a gold medal rematch against Canada this evening. Puck drop is set for 11:10 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBC.

This is the rivalry. This is what it’s all about.@TeamUSA vs. Canada.
Wednesday night. 11PM ET. @NBC and @PeacockTV. #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/tnx1sgBVQ7

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 16, 2022