(Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
MILAN, Italy — February 19, 2026 — In a game for the ages, the U.S. Women’s National Hockey Team defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to reclaim Olympic gold. The hero of the hour was Laila Edwards of Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Edwards, the first Black woman to play for the U.S. Olympic hockey team, provided the primary assist on the game-tying goal late in the third period. “I hope there’s a little girl in Cleveland watching this tonight who realizes there’s a place for her on the ice,” Edwards said in a post-game interview. History Maker: Edwards stands 6’1″, making her one of the most physically dominant forwards in the women’s game. She led the University of Wisconsin to a national championship before making the jump to the Olympic squad. Her gold medal marks a major milestone for “Girls Hockey” participation in the Great Lakes region.