Golden moment: Laila Edwards, Team USA claim victory on the ice as fans erupt at New Heights Grill

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The crowd at New Heights Grill cheers on Laila Edwards and Team USA's gold medal victory. Reuben Kutash

The crowd was buzzing with excitement as the women's hockey gold medal game gets underway. Reuben Kutash

New Heights owners Bobby Kral and Kelli Powers-Kral. Reuben Kutash

Goal! USA ties the game with 2:04 left in the game. Laila Edwards with the assist! Reuben Kutash

Marie was so proud of Laila and happy for Team USA Women's Olympic Hockey. Reuben Kutash

Edwards fans Andrea Turner and Gillian Weiss. Reuben Kutash

It was a packed house at New Heights Grill for the Women's Hockey Olypmic Gold Game. Reuben Kutash

Beth Young is sannounced as the winner of the autographed Laila Edwards jersey! Reuben Kutash

Goal! Reuben Kutash

It was a packed house at New Heights Grill for the Women's Hockey Olypmic Gold Game. Reuben Kutash

The New Heights Grill crowd goes wild with the victory. Reuben Kutash

Krissy Dietrich-Gallagher prepares to draw a name in Heights Athletics Boosters raffle for an Edwards autographed jersey. Reuben Kutash

Krissy Dietrich-Gallagher draws a name in Heights Athletics Boosters raffle for an Edwards autographed jersey. Reuben Kutash

The New Heights Grill crowd goes wild with the victory. Reuben Kutash

Team USA fans Andrea Turner and Jay Tekus. Reuben Kutash

From the moment the Women’s 2026 Olympics Hockey Team took the ice on Thursday, Feb. 5 for a 5-0 victory against Czechia, it seems that everyone in Northeast Ohio was cheering on the team and Cleveland Heights native Laila Edwards.

Team USA went on to win the gold against Canada yesterday, Thursday, Feb. 19, and Edwards, a defensive forward, was credited with finishing the tournament with two goals and six assists in seven games.

Local Edwards fans gathered for a watch party at New Heights Grill on Lee Road in Cleveland Heights Thursday to witness the gold-medal overtime 2-1 victory, with Edwards credited for an assist.

There was plenty of food and drink, cheering and hugging—and ultimately celebrating—as Team USA took the gold. At New Heights, Beth Young won an autographed Edwards jersey.

Photographer Reuben Kutash had to join the fun, so FreshWater sent him to Lee Road to document the victorious moments.

Golden moment: Laila Edwards, Team USA claim victory on the ice as fans erupt at New Heights Grill

About the Author: Reuben Kutash

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