UTICA – Jake Virtanen is ready to go.

The 20-year-old forward is in Utica as the Comets get ready for the first of six consecutive games at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. The Comets (2-7-1 overall) play Lehigh Valley on Friday before taking on Hartford on Saturday.

Virtanen’s stint in the American Hockey League is expected to be short. The Vancouver Canucks have said Virtanen will play in the Comets’ two games this weekend and return to the National Hockey League team.

“Getting some minutes will be huge," Virtanen said. "(Comets coach Travis Green) is going to have me play a decent amount, so it’ll be good. I’ll be excited for that.”

It has been a tough start to the season for sixth-overall pick in the 2014 draft. He missed time early in the season with an injury. Most recently, the second-year wing has battled for playing time with the Canucks. He was a healthy scratch in the Canucks’ road games earlier this week against the Islanders and Rangers in New York City.

So, what’s Virtanen’s goal in his most recent trip to utica?

“I think getting my confidence back. I think that’s ... huge for me,” said Virtanen, who has played in 12 games with the Comets over the last two seasons. “I just need to keep pushing.”

Virtanen arrived in Utica Wednesday evening and practiced with the team Thursday morning. Green said Virtanen’s role will be similar to what it is with the Canucks. Virtanen skates well, can deliver big hits and has a big shot, he said.

“Confidence isn’t measured in goals and assists. It is measured in playing and feeling good in a game and finding a way to help the team win,” said Green, who noted that Virtanen will also be part of the team’s power-play unit. “I’m anxious to see him play.”

Virtanen said Thursday’s practice prepared him for the weekend. He expects to play on a line with Darren Archibald and Curtis Valk.

Virtanen plans to work on the little things in his game, including using his 6-foot-1, 229-pound frame against the opposition.

“I like being physical, so I want to get out there and lay some hits early in the game,” he said. “I’m ready for tomorrow and I’m looking forward to it.”

Comets ‘need to continue to improve’

Utica is one of two AHL teams with only a pair of wins.

But, Green said Thursday he thinks the team has played better than their 2-7-1 record. He’s told the team as much.

“I can’t sit here and say, ‘Hey, we're not playing good enough.’ I’m not going say that about the team,” said Green, whose team is 1-3-1 in the last five games. “You always have to be realistic. … I don’t make any bones about it: I want our guys to win. It’s important that they do feel success in the progress they are making.”

Green said it is no secret the Comets have been challenged on offense. Two players on the active roster have 10 or more points. Defenseman Jordan Subban (four goals, seven assists) has a five-game point streak and is second in points among AHL defensemen. Alex Grenier (four goals, six assists) has scored in back-to-back games and has a three-game point streak.

Utica could be without Michael Chaput – the team’s top center and points leader -- for an extended period after Vancouver announced Thursday that Jannik Hansen is out four-to-six weeks with a fractured rib. Chaput was recalled by the Canucks on Monday when Hansen was placed on injured reserve.

“We’re always looking for secondary production. … Some guys we need more from. We need some offensive production from some guys but not at the risk of affecting the rest of their game,” said Green, whose team has scored 25 goals, which is fifth-fewest. “But, there are guys in our room who are better than they have played. We’ve talked about that. We’ve had some guys that have played really well. You can’t measure everything in wins and losses this time of the year. We’ve made some big improvements, but I think we need to continue to improve.”

Injury updates

At least one player who has missed time could return to the Comets’ lineup this weekend.

Green said Thursday he thinks forward Cole Cassels will play Friday. The 21-year-old, who practiced Tuesday and Thursday in a regular jersey, has missed seven consecutive games with an upper-body injury. He hasn’t played since Oct. 21 at Syracuse.

Five others remain out. Forward Marco Roy (upper-body) participated for the second consecutive practice in a red no-contact jersey and is “week-to-week,” according to Green. Defenseman Tom Nilsson, who has not played in a game this season, also skated Thursday in a regular jersey, but is “not game ready,” Green said.

Forward Wacey Hamilton (lower-body) and defenseman Ashton Sautner (concussion) were not on the ice with the team this week and remain week-to-week. Forward Allan McPherson is also out.

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