US Hat Trick Heroics and Hometown Glory: Team USA Dominates Canada in Cleveland

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CLEVELAND, OH — The biggest rivalry in sports was reignited spectacularly as the U.S. Women’s National Hockey Team opened the pre-Olympic Rivalry Series with a decisive 4-1 victory over Team Canada. In a thrilling clash in Cleveland, two American forwards stole the show, combining for all four goals and delivering a statement win as both teams begin their final tune-up for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The Murphy-Heise Connection: A Four-Point Masterclass

The night belonged to the dynamic duo of forward Abbey Murphy and forward Taylor Heise.

Abbey Murphy was unstoppable, recording a spectacular natural hat trick—the first by a Team USA player against Canada since Hilary Knight in the 2023 World Championship final. Murphy scored twice in the second period, both times on powerful one-timers off feeds from Heise, before completing the trick early in the third with a power-play tap-in.
Taylor Heise was the architect of the win, finishing with an astonishing four-point night (one goal, three assists). Heise not only set up all three of Murphy’s goals but also netted the Americans’ first goal to tie the game in the opening period.

The U.S. offense, fueled by the former University of Minnesota teammates, found its rhythm after Canada briefly took the lead. The Canadians’ Sarah Fillier opened the scoring midway through the first period on the power play. However, Team USA answered just 16 seconds later when Heise deflected a shot from the point, sparking the comeback that led to a dominant performance in the second and third periods.

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	Final
🇨🇦 Canada	1	0	0	1
🇺🇸 Team USA	1	2	1	4

Homecoming Queen: Laila Edwards Shines

Adding an extra layer of emotion to the night was the performance of forward-turned-defenseman Laila Edwards. The 21-year-old is a Cleveland Heights native and the first Black female player to skate for Team USA.

Edwards, who was dealing with a recent knee injury, was given the honor of taking the ceremonial opening faceoff and delivered a clutch performance in front of her home crowd at Rocket Arena. Her shot from the point led directly to Heise’s game-tying goal in the first period, igniting the comeback and drawing roaring cheers from the Cleveland faithful.

“Queen of Cleveland, that’s what we’ve been calling her all week,” Heise remarked after the game, deferring the spotlight to her teammate. Edwards, who is expected to make her Olympic debut in 2026, embodied the night’s special atmosphere, celebrating a “very special couple of days that I am going to remember forever.”

Rivalry Shifts: Momentum with the Americans

The victory marks the Americans’ third consecutive win over their cross-border rivals, a run that dates back to the two-game sweep at the 2025 World Championships (including an overtime win in the title game). With U.S. goaltender Aerin Frankel turning aside 25 shots, the Americans showcased their depth and burgeoning star power in a game that serves as a crucial barometer just three months ahead of the Milano-Cortina Olympics.

While Canada played a younger lineup, resting veterans like Olympic MVP Brianne Jenner and star goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens, the U.S. proved that its core is sharp and ready for the Olympic buildup. The four-game Rivalry Series next moves to Buffalo, New York, on Saturday, promising another intense chapter in this storied matchup.