Ben Birnell

Another big weekend looms for the Utica Comets.

The Comets, aided by a 13-6-1-0 run in an up-and-down season, need a little bit help as they battle for a North Division playoff spot. As the Comets (33-28-7-2, 75 points) begin another three-game set Friday, they are a point behind St. Johns and two back of third-place Albany. The top five North teams are separated by 10 points. The top four teams in each division qualify for the American Hockey Leagues playoffs.

With six games remaining over the last nine days of the regular season, coach Travis Green said the Comets have to continue to work hard in order to pick up victories.

I think you always wonder if your team can get it done when the chips are in the middle, said Green, whose team has won eight consecutive home games going into Friday. Theyve shown they can make it. It is not surprising to me. I wouldnt expect our team to go away. Im not expecting it now.

Utica draws a tough matchup against division-leading Toronto (40-26-4-1, 85 points) at 7 p.m. Friday at the Utica Memorial Auditorium before traveling to Rochester on Saturday. St. Johns visits Utica on Saturday afternoon for arguably one of the Comets most important games of the season. Utica has earned at least four out of a possible six points in each of its three-game weekends since early March.

I think we just have to take it one game at a time, forward Mike Zalewski said. This is playoff hockey right now. We know whats at stake and what we have to do.

That starts with limiting a Toronto team that has a seven-game win streak. The Comets also know they must stay out of the penalty box against Toronto, which has 14 power-play goals on 41 opportunities (34.1 percent) in seven meetings this season.

The Comets have been helped by stellar play from rookie goaltender Thatcher Demko, who is 12-3 with a 2.01 goals-against average in starting 15 of the last 17 games. Offense has been spread around with seven players combining to score the teams nine goals in regulation last weekend.

(Demko) has been our backbone, said Jordan Subban, whose 16 goals are third-most among AHL defensemen. Confidence is key. Hes just been lights-out.

A surprise for Zalewski

Zalewski got some unexpected news Wednesday night.

Thats when the New Hartford native said he found out hes getting his own bobblehead figure. Zalewski said he found out when his girlfriend told him after seeing the Comets post an announcement about the collectible on their Instagram page.

I have never had something like that, Zalewski said with a laugh Thursday. It is pretty cool. I was pretty happy.

The bobblehead, which features Zalewski in a celebration pose while wearing Uticas green alternate uniform, will be given out before next Wednesdays game against Syracuse. According to the Comets, there is a limit of one bobblehead per fan in attendance and will be distributed upon entering the building through one of our three entrances.

The bobblehead is among the festivities planned for the teams Fan Appreciation Week over the final three home games Sunday, Wednesday and next Friday. The team is raffling off several prizes, including memorabilia and gift cards from local businesses. Before Sundays game, team awards, including MVP and best defenseman, will be presented.

Zalewski said Comets defenseman and friend John Negrin was having some good-natured fun with him Thursday about the bobblehead. Zalewski is the third Comets player to become a bobblehead. Darren Archibald and Joacim Ericsson bobbleheads were given out in previous seasons.

Im sure there will be some autographs, Zalewski said.

Roll call

Assistant captain Wacey Hamilton skated Thursday in a red no-contact jersey, but seemed to be moving around well.

Green said Hamilton, who has missed nine games this season, is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Also not on the ice Thursday was Negrin, who was spotted in a walking boot after practice.

Hes out a couple weeks at least, Green said of the defenseman, who has missed 39 games because of injuries this season.

Both were injured in Sundays win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Green said.

Olympics for AHL?

Since the National Hockey Leagues announcement this week that it will not stop for the 2018 Olympics, many have wondered how national teams might fill their rosters.

With the AHL serving as the primary development league for the NHL, it is feasible players could be involved. No decision on the matter has been announced and more discussion will likely happen among officials.

I do think theres a pretty good possibility we will be stocking some of those Olympic teams, AHL President and CEO David Andrews said Tuesday on SiriusXMs Stellick and Simmer.

Green has some experience on the international stage, helping Canada win the Spengler Cup in 2007. He said he thinks players enjoy participating in events like the Olympics.

We wouldnt be talking about it if there wasnt a dynamic, Green said. As a fan you enjoy watching it, but I also know theres a business side of it. It is not as simple as it seems. Theyre not easy decisions to make. I respect the decisions they make.

Green said he wasnt sure how a scenario would work in which players in the AHL on an NHL contract could join a national team.

I havent given it much thought, Green said.

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Comets notebook: Crucial weekend on tap for Utica - Utica Observer Dispatch