"This is just a chance for both sides to get good competition and to showcase women's hockey," Mleczko said. "Harvard built up a great fan base last season, but hopefully these games will help other teams get people to come out and see some good hockey."

Last season Mleczko broke every record imaginable, winding up with 114 points and the 1999 Patty Kazmaier Award as national player of the year.

As great as Mleczko is, however, she is not a star for Team U.S.A. Led by veterans such as forwards Cammi Granato and Karyn Bye and defenseman Chris Bailey, the national team has loads of international experience. And the Americans will be looking for a big victory after the heartbreaking shootout loss to Shewchuk, Botterill, and company in the Three Nations Cup.

Team U.S.A. is clearly the heavy favorite. But the Crimson--which tends to play to the level of its competition--has a chance to keep the game close.

All three members of Harvard's top line have international experience and plenty of offensive firepower. The Crimson's top blueline pairing of Ruggiero and freshman Jamie Hagerman, who leads all ECAC rookie defensemen with 10 points, will make Team U.S.A. work for its goals.

"This is going to be a great experience to see the elite players in the nation," Ruggiero said. "This will give us a chance to see how they use each other."

In some ways, this exhibition game, between a top college team and a top international team, will be a good benchmark of the potential of women's hockey as a sport. For the Harvard players, however, it is an opportunity to face tough competition and improve its game as it continues to strive for another national championship.

"Most teams we play are at our level or below us, but this gives us something to reach for" she added. "We're treating this as a real game, and we'll be gunning for them."