The Utica Comets close a three-game homestand Saturday.

The Comets are set to take on the Atlantic Division’s Springfield Thunderbirds in the lone regular-season meeting between the teams in Utica.

Utica is trying to close the homestand on a positive note before two games on the road before the Christmas break at the end of next week. Utica is trying to move from the bottom of the seven-team North Division as the team has struggled to gain traction and consistency.

Utica is scheduled to wear its Utica Devils throwback jerseys as the team continues to honor the 35th anniversary of the previous team that served as the New Jersey Devils’ AHL affiliate in the city. The team is 1-2-0-0 while wearing the special jersey this season.

Springfield Thunderbirds at Utica Comets

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday.

WHERE: Adirondack Bank Center at Utica Memorial Auditorium.

BROADCAST: KROCK 94.9FM or krock.com (free); Channel 4 for Spectrum subscribers in the Utica-Rome area; watchtheahl.com (subscription video).

PROMOTIONS: Rockin’ the Rink 80s Night with live music from local acts pre-game and all intermissions.

SEASON SERIES: First of two meetings.

WHAT TO KNOW: Springfield, a member of the Atlantic Division, is the St. Louis Blues’ affiliate. The team features six players who spent time with Utica in the shortened 2021 season when it was a dual affiliation with Vancouver, including forward Nikita Alexandrov and goaltender Joel Hofer. ... The teams split last season’s two meetings in February with the home teams each winning a game. ... Saturday’s game will be the third of four consecutive road games for Springfield. The team opened the road trip with an overtime win over Bridgeport on Wednesday. Springfield played Friday at Syracuse. ... Utica remains near the bottom of the seven-team North Division. Though, Utica has games in hand on the six other teams in the division. ... Joe Gambardella, Nolan Foote and Reilly Walsh each had two points in two games against Springfield last season. ... New Jersey defensive prospect Simon Nemec, one of three players to appear in all of Utica’s games this season, is expected to soon join Team Slovakia for the world junior tournament in Canada.

Upcoming games: Tuesday and Thursday at Cleveland. Both games scheduled for 7 p.m.