Team USA Women Dominate Czechia In Olympic Opener

The U.S. women’s hockey team wasted no time making a statement at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, opening their campaign with a commanding 5-1 win over Czechia on February 5 at the bustling Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. From the first drop of the puck, Team USA showcased their trademark blend of speed, skill, and relentless pressure, leaving the Czech squad scrambling to keep up. But perhaps the most memorable moment wasn’t on the scoreboard—it was the sight of Laila Edwards skating her first Olympic shift, etching her name in history as the first Black woman to compete for the U.S. women’s hockey team at the Olympic Games.

“It didn’t feel different at all,” Edwards shared after the game. “It’s still hockey at the end of the day. Even though it’s the highest level, it’s still hockey.” Her humility belied the gravity of her achievement. With her parents and 14 family members cheering from the stands—thanks in part to a $10,000 donation from NFL brothers Jason and Travis Kelce—Edwards took the ice not just for herself, but for every young athlete who saw a new door open that night.

Team USA’s offensive onslaught began with a textbook power play late in the first period. Defenseman Megan Keller unleashed a drive from the point, and Alex Carpenter, ever the opportunist, deftly redirected the puck past Czech netminder Klara Peslarova. Carpenter’s goal, her ninth in Olympic competition, was the result of crisp puck movement and a sharp feed from Laila Edwards, who tallied her first Olympic assist on the play. “I love that we’re a threat from everywhere. I think the way we work together is truly unmatched,” Carpenter told NBC after the first period.

Peslarova, tested early and often, stood tall for Czechia, finishing with an impressive 37 saves on 42 shots. But the floodgates opened in the second period. Joy Dunne, skating on the fourth line and making her Olympic debut, found the back of the net just over three minutes in, capitalizing on a slick centering pass from Tessa Janecke. Barely had the celebration subsided when Hayley Scamurra, the U.S.’s 13th forward, rifled a shot through traffic and between Peslarova’s pads—her first of two goals on the night. Scamurra’s quick-strike tally put the Americans up 3-0 before Czechia could catch their breath.

Yet Czechia wasn’t ready to fold. Just past the eight-minute mark of the second period, 19-year-old Barbora Jurickova, fresh out of the penalty box, took a stretch pass from Natalie Mlynkova and streaked in alone on U.S. goalie Aerin Frankel. Jurickova snapped a shot home, momentarily cutting the U.S. lead to 3-1 and injecting a jolt of energy into her team’s bench. Frankel, making her Olympic debut, remained poised throughout, turning aside 13 of 14 shots to secure her first Olympic victory.

If there were any doubts about the Americans’ resolve, Hilary Knight erased them late in the second period. The captain, playing in her fifth and final Olympics, powered up the right wing and fired a wrist shot past Peslarova for her 13th career Olympic goal, moving her within one of tying the all-time U.S. women’s Olympic scoring record. “Captain America” indeed—Knight’s blend of speed and power has defined her career, and her leadership continues to inspire a new generation of stars. The goal was set up by Carpenter and Hannah Bilka, further evidence of the Americans’ depth and chemistry.

Scamurra capped the scoring early in the third, finishing a feed from Kelly Pannek with a quick-release shot from the right circle. In total, Scamurra needed just 6:45 of ice time to notch two goals, a testament to the Americans’ ability to roll four lines and generate offense from anywhere. “It was incredible, honestly,” Scamurra told Olympics.com. “I think I was just so excited to finally get out there and start this Olympics that I had so much energy in me, so it was amazing.”

Beyond the goals and assists, the Americans’ defensive effort shone. The U.S. outshot Czechia 42-14, smothering their opponents with aggressive forechecking and stifling zone coverage. Tessa Janecke, a rising star in her own right, collected two assists and used her speed to create havoc on the forecheck. On the blue line, Edwards—at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, the biggest and most physical player on the roster—logged a team-high 25 shifts, seamlessly transitioning from her usual forward position to defense. “She’s so dynamic, so athletic, you could put her in goal and she would perform,” said teammate Caroline Harvey. “She’s just adjusted so well. It’s seamless.”

Edwards’ journey to the Olympics was anything but ordinary. The Cleveland Heights native began skating soon after she could walk, quickly outpacing her peers and joining boys’ teams before starring at Bishop Kearney High School in Rochester, New York. By 20, she was the youngest MVP in World Championship history, and in 2023, she became the first Black player on the U.S. women’s senior national team. Now, with an Olympic debut behind her, Edwards is focused on what matters most: inspiring the next generation. “There’s been a lot of young kids or parents of young kids who have reached out or I’ve run into that say, ‘You know, my daughter plays sports because of you. And she feels seen and represented,’ and that’s just really motivating.”

The significance of the night wasn’t lost on the dignitaries in attendance. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio watched from the stands, joining a packed house to witness Team USA’s electrifying start. The win improved the Americans’ record to 8-0 in Olympic openers and 2-0 against Czechia in Olympic play, cementing their status as perennial favorites on the world stage.

Looking ahead, Team USA will return to the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena on February 7 to face Finland in their next Group A matchup. The Finns, whose opening game against Canada was postponed due to a stomach virus, will be eager to test themselves against the Americans’ high-flying attack. With momentum on their side and history in their wake, the U.S. women’s hockey team is poised for another deep Olympic run.

As the final horn sounded and the American bench emptied onto the ice in celebration, the message was clear: this team is more than just a collection of stars—they are a family, united by purpose, and ready to chase gold in Milan.