UTICA — There are bound to be growing pains for any rookie in professional hockey.

Utica Comets goaltender Thatcher Demko can attest to that. The 20-year-old admits his first few starts in the American Hockey League were a little bit frustrating.

Demko, considered a top goaltending prospect, said he felt he was a save short in his first four starts and was 0-3-1. His fifth start Saturday against Hartford was different.

The 6-foot-4, 195-pound San Diego, California, native made 29 saves — including a few big stops during the third period when the Comets were forced to play shorthanded — to help force overtime. Darren Archibald ended it early, giving Demko his first win.

“I completely forgot it was my first win,” Demko said with a laugh Tuesday. “It was a big team victory with all those penalty kills, guys blocking shots and paying the price.”

He knows there’s more work to be done. With his first win out of the way, he hopes to play a “more natural game.”

“I’m just starting to learn,” Demko said. “I’ll be learning forever.”

Demko has been working with former Utica Devils goaltender and coach Rollie Melanson to develop his “raw talent into more technical ability.” Demko said Melanson has helped teach him the importance of paying to attention to the details.

“He knows what it takes to get guys from here to the next level,” said Demko, who has a 3.39 goals-against average and 8.78 save percentage. “He definitely holds you accountable. He’s a little bit tougher on you, but you have to take that and know that he has your best interest in mind. It’s been good for me.”

Demko said he has also benefited from working with Richard Bachman, with whom he has shared goaltending duties this season. Demko said he and the veteran have connected on a personal level.

“He takes the time to reflect with me,” said Demko, who is about eight years younger than Bachman. “When I lost four straight at the beginning, he was kind of just there for me, just an ear to listen. It seems like a small thing, but in the moment it really helps out just to keep things in perspective.”

Bachman, who has started seven games in his second season with the Comets, said he has been impressed with Demko. Demko has adjusted his game, he said.

“He’s done a great job sticking to his game,” Bachman said. “He’s done a good job asking questions and keeping an open mind and really working on his game.”

Comets look to keep rolling

Utica is 3-8-1 following Saturday’s win, which puts the Comets at the bottom of the AHL standings.

Coach Travis Green acknowledged the Comets have to continue to get better. Utica has three opportunities this week as they continue a six-game homestand. Hershey (6-4-2 , tied for 4th in the Atlantic Division) visits for the only time this season Wednesday. Springfield also makes its only visit Friday before North Division foe Rochester plays Saturday at the Aud. The games are set for 7 p.m.

“We just have to build off what we did last game,” Green said. “We’re going to need everyone to step up and raise their game. Obviously, we have a lot guys out of the lineup. It’s a good opportunity for players.”

Injury updates

The Comets continue to work through players dealing with various ailments.

New Hartford’s Mike Zalewski (upper-body) was hurt Saturday with about 4minutes remaining in regulation after he crashed into the Hartford net on a 2-on-1 play. He didn’t practice Tuesday and is day-to-day, Green said. Captain Carter Bancks (upper-body) and Borna Rendulic (illness), who have each played in the team’s 12 games this season, are considered day-to-day, Green said.

There was some good news for the Comets. On Tuesday, forward Wacey Hamilton (lower-body) skated in a regular practice jersey after missing five games. Green said Hamilton could play this weekend.

Forward Marco Roy (upper-body) also practiced in a regular jersey Tuesday and “possibly” could play Wednesday after missing five games, Green said. Defenseman Tom Nilsson (lower-body), who has not appeared in a game since being assigned Nov. 2, is close to playing.

“He’s getting there, we’ll probably see him this week sometime,” Green said.

Defenseman Ashton Sautner (concussion) participated Tuesday in a red no-contact jersey and is considered week-to-week after a scary injury Oct. 29 that saw him leave on a stretcher. Forward Allen McPherson remains out.

Two for LaBate

Forward Joseph LaBate got into an extended bout with Hartford’s Ryan Graves near the end of the second period Saturday that seemed to help spark the Comets.

LaBate also had another fight Nov. 5 when he took on Syracuse’s Jake Dotchin, giving the Comets player two fighting majors early into the 76-game regular season.

That’s notable because under new AHL rules, players are allowed 10 fighting majors in the regular season before an automatic one-game suspension. For each subsequent fighting major up to 13, a player will face an additional one-game suspension. After that, each fight will result in a two-game suspension.

No Comets players had 10 or more fighting majors last season.

“I’m not worried about it,” Green said. “We’ll worry about it when the time comes.”

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