MILAN (AP) — Hilary Knight is saying goodbye to her Olympic career, while Laila Edwards is just starting hers. In a recent thrilling gold-medal match against Canada, these two players stood out. With just over two minutes left, Knight deflected a shot from Edwards to tie the game, leading to Megan Keller’s overtime goal that secured gold for the U.S. team.
That moment was electric. “It’s pretty amazing,” teammate Rory Guilday said.
Knight’s farewell was made even more special by her recent engagement to speedskater Brittany Bowe. She admitted that the engagement made her more nervous than the games.
Facing Canada in the final, the tension built as the clock ticked down and the U.S. trailed. Knight didn’t want a silver medal in her last Olympic match. When the opportunity arose, she was determined.
As the puck reached Edwards, Knight made her move towards the net. Edwards knew she needed to get the puck there quickly. “I aimed for Hilary’s stick, and she did the rest,” Edwards recalled. The puck found its way into the net, making history with Knight’s 15th Olympic goal, a U.S. record.
“It’s unbelievable to share this moment with Hilary,” Edwards said. “Learning from her is a blessing.”
Knight leaves behind two gold medals and three silvers. Though a second-place finish is celebrated in many sports, for rivals like the U.S. and Canada in women’s hockey, it stings.
After the winning goal, Knight felt a wave of certainty. “We’re going to win the game,” she thought. And she did, ending her career on top.
“This has been an incredible ride,” Knight reflected. “I need to soak it all in.”
Edwards, at just 22, is excited about her future in the sport. Knight is passing the torch to her and other young athletes. “Laila is special, and it’s amazing to see her talent on the world stage,” Knight said.
New studies show women’s hockey is on the rise, with participation increasing by over 20% in recent years. This growth indicates a promising future for the sport and its athletes.
As Knight bids farewell, Edwards and her teammates stand ready to carry on the legacy, ensuring that the excitement of women’s hockey continues to flourish.
For more on the Winter Olympics, visit the AP Winter Olympics hub.
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Laila Edwards, Hilary Knight, Megan Keller, Olympic games, Hockey, Womens hockey, 2026 Winter Olympics, Olympic hockey, 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games, Winter Olympic games, Ann Renee Desbiens, Sports, Brittany Bowe, Rory Guilday
