On a recent evening, Taylor Heise and Abbey Murphy shone in Team USA women’s hockey’s victory over Canada, scoring a total of four goals. However, the duo chose to redirect the attention to their teammate, Laila Edwards, dubbing her the “Queen of Cleveland.”
During her hometown return, 21-year-old Edwards received thunderous cheers upon her introduction. Captain Hilary Knight invited her to participate in the ceremonial faceoff against Canada’s captain, Marie-Philip Poulin. Edwards also played a crucial role in the first American goal, providing the primary assist.
Reflecting on the moment, Edwards expressed her excitement and surprise at witnessing Heise score off her shot, leveling the score at 1 in the first period. Edwards, transitioning from a forward to a defenseman from Cleveland Heights, holds the distinction of being the first Black female player on Team USA.
Despite sustaining a knee injury in a college game three weeks prior, Edwards, a senior at Wisconsin, persevered to play in the match. Her resilience and talent were lauded by her teammates, with Murphy commending the support from the city for Edwards.
Heise’s contributions, including scoring and assisting all three of Murphy’s goals, combined with Aerin Frankel’s 26 saves, secured Team USA’s third consecutive victory over Canada. The winning streak began with a triumph in the world championships in the Czech Republic, culminating in a 4-3 overtime win in the final.
In the upcoming match in Buffalo, New York, Fillier netted Canada’s sole goal, with Gascon making her debut in goal for the Canadian national team. The Canadians chose to rest key players, including Desbiens, in preparation for the remainder of the series in Edmonton, Alberta.
As the defending world champions, the Americans faced the defending Olympic champions in a hard-fought battle. Both teams displayed resilience and determination, setting the stage for an intense series ahead.
Looking forward to the Milan-Cortina Games in February, Edwards is poised to make her Olympic debut, building on her previous successes at the national and world championship levels. Coach John Wroblewski praised Edwards for her poise and skill, emphasizing her impactful presence on the ice.
Amidst the accolades, Edwards was humbled by the recognition she received, including NBA player Larry Nance sporting her USA hockey jersey. The gesture left her awestruck, highlighting the support and admiration she has garnered from her community and beyond.