Damien Ketlo spent the entire off-season preparing to take over as the Regina Pats' new starting goalie.

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What's a few more days?

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Ketlo has been making considerable progress after missing four straight games — and seven of the past eight — with a troublesome groin pull. The 18-year-old took part in a goalies-only workout on Monday, followed by another session with goaltending coach Ryan Cyr on Tuesday. Afterwards, Ketlo joined his teammates for a portion of Tuesday's practice and — barring a setback — is expected to increase his workload each day in hopes of being ready to make the start Friday against the visiting Kamloops Blazers.

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"I'm just sorta taking my time, being a little more smart about my injury this time," explained Ketlo, who originally missed three straight contests before reinjuring the groin in his first game back. "I really want to play Friday. If I'm ready to play, I'll play Friday. If I'm not, I'll talk to (head coach Curtis Hunt) and tell him the truth. I don't want to come back too soon. I learned my lesson the first time. I really need to get some games in but I can't just do the same thing again."

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The Pats decided to err on the side of caution this time around, holding Ketlo off the ice for 11 days after he reinjured the groin late in the third period of a 9-3 win over the Prince Albert Raiders. Ketlo insists that he and the Pats are on the same page with the injury, emphasizing that he doesn't want it to become something that lingers for the rest of the year.

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Under the supervision of trainer Greg Mayer, Ketlo has been strengthening the groin through daily workouts, plus some extra cardio to keep up his stamina. Meanwhile, rookie Dawson Guhle has been thrown into the fire, starting four straight games. Following Ketlo's win in Prince Albert, Guhle rattled off a pair of victories before giving up 14 goals in the past two outings — a 9-6 loss to the Moose Jaw Warriors and a 5-0 setback versus the Calgary Hitmen.

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"It has been really tough these last two games," said Ketlo. "I wanted to come back right away and help the guys get some wins. But at the same time I have to be smart about it because I want to play the rest of the year too."

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Ketlo's frustration has been magnified by the fact that he's eager to prove himself as Regina's starting netminder. He served as the backup last season but was promoted this fall when the team parted with veteran Linden Rowat.

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"I worked hard all summer to do this and then I get a phantom injury that I've never had before in my entire life," lamented Ketlo, who sports a 1-2 record with a 3.36 GAA and a .905 save percentage. "Definitely I want to prove myself. The three games I have played I thought I played fairly well. If I just get back on the ice and keep that going I think it'll evolve and I'll get better throughout the year."

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The Pats are hoping for a similar return on their investment.

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"We'll just monitor him every day and make sure we do the right things so this doesn't linger for four months instead of two to three weeks," added Hunt. "The biggest thing is making sure he's confident that when he steps on the ice he can go ahead and play the game and play his position without that mental block (of worrying about a relapse)."

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