On a recent evening, Taylor Heise and Abbey Murphy showcased their prowess with a total of four goals in Team USA women’s hockey victory over Canada in the Rivalry Series opener. Despite their stellar performance, the duo shifted the focus to their teammate Laila Edwards, affectionately dubbed the “Queen of Cleveland” by Heise.
During the game, 21-year-old Edwards, hailing from Cleveland Heights and the first Black female player on Team USA, seized the limelight in her hometown. She received a warm reception from the crowd, led the ceremonial faceoff initiated by captain Hilary Knight, and notably assisted in the Americans’ opening goal.
Edwards, a forward-turned-defenseman, almost missed the game due to a recent knee injury sustained in a college match, but bravely took to the ice wearing a brace. Her powerful shot resulted in an assist for Heise’s crucial goal, igniting the crowd and her teammates.
Heise, instrumental in both scoring and assisting Murphy’s goals, praised Edwards for her remarkable performance, emphasizing the overwhelming support from the city. With Aerin Frankel guarding the net and a three-game winning streak against Canada, the US team continues to dominate their rivals, following previous victories at the world championships.
In response to Fillier’s lone goal for Canada and Gascon’s impressive debut as the national team goalkeeper, the teams are set to clash again in Buffalo before concluding the four-game series in Edmonton. While the Americans hold the world championship title, the Canadians are the reigning Olympic champions, aiming to bounce back in the upcoming matches.
Looking ahead, Edwards is poised to make her Olympic debut at the Milan-Cortina Games in February, adding to her accolades of a national championship and world championship gold. Coach John Wroblewski commended Edwards for her composure under the spotlight, highlighting her innate talent and dedication to the sport.
Despite her remarkable achievements, Edwards expressed her excitement upon discovering NBA player Larry Nance sporting her USA hockey jersey at a recent Cavaliers game, underscoring the impact of her journey from Ohio to the international stage.