Game On
The Harvard women's hockey team hits the ice for an exhibition matchup against McGill, the top-ranked team in the Quebec University Hockey League, Saturday at Bright Hockey Center. The contest marks the only exhibition game for Harvard this season. Admission to the exhibition game is free.  

Last Season
Harvard hosted McGill in a preseason exhibition a year ago tomorrow and skated to a convincing 4-1 win. Kate Buesser led the Crimson attack with two goals and Kathryn Farni '10 had a four-point game with a goal and three assists. Katharine Chute netted Harvard's fourth goal at the 19:59 mark of the second period. Christina Kessler '10 made 22 saves in goal for Harvard. 

Crimson Captains
Harvard's three captains this year are seniors Kate Buesser, Leanna Coskren and Liza Ryabkina. 

Preseason Prognostications
After finishing third in the ECAC Hockey regular season standings and advancing to the ECAC Tournament semifinal last season, Harvard has been picked to finish third in the league in the ECAC Preseason Poll. Senior captain and forward Kate Buesser, a 2009-10 Patty Kazmaier Award Nominee, was selected to the Preseason All-League team. Harvard also garnered top-10 rankings in both national preseason polls, receiving a No. 8 ranking in the USCHO.com poll and a No. 9 ranking in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll.  

Returning Statistical Leaders
Harvard returns four of its top five scorers from last season, including its top three. Kate Buesser was the leading scorer last season, totaling 40 points on 16 goals and 24 assists, all of which were team-high totals. Jillian Dempsey finished the year with 27 points (11g, 16a) and Liza Ryabkina collected 22 points on 15 goals and seven assists in just 24 games. Leanna Coskren led all defensemen with 19 points (8g, 11a) last season. Buesser (+25) and Dempsey (+20) were the top-two rated players at the end of last season.

Laura Bellamy took over goalie duties midway through the season and put up solid numbers through the final 18 games. The then-freshman racked up 326 saves on the year for a save percentage of .921 and finished with a 1.69 goals-against-average.

Scouting the Martlets
McGill brings a 6-4-1 record into today's game, competing in a mix of exhibition and regular-season contests. It is currently riding a four-game win streak, having taken down ECAC Hockey opponents Princeton (4-3) and Yale (1-0) in the process.  

In their last game, the Martlets extended their QUHL winning streak to a staggering 83 games, downing Montreal, 5-2, Wednesday night in Montreal. McGill received third period goals from Darragh Hamilton, Cathy Chartrand and Carly Hill and goalie Andrea Weckman stopped 22 shots to seal the win.

Coming Attractions
Harvard kicks off its regular season schedule next weekend against Yale, Friday Oct. 29 at 7 p.m.