Mike Griffith: Condors rookie goaltender going it alone
| Wednesday, Nov 25 2009 09:57 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Nov 25 2009 10:19 PM
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Henry A. Barrios / The Californian Bakersfield Condors goaltender Timo Pielmeier keeps sight on the puck as a shot by the Ontario Reign bounces of him during the 2nd period of their game Wednesday.
It looks like Timo Pielmeier will be getting plenty of time in goal for the Condors over the next few weeks.
The Anaheim Ducks have assigned goaltender Justin Pogge to the San Antonio Rampage in the American Hockey League. Pogge got the news following Wednesday morning’s practice.
"They have an injury in San Antonio and he's going to be playing," said David McNab, senior vice president of hockey operations for the Ducks. "We've always wanted both our goalies to be playing and Timo has proven he can be a No. 1 in the East Coast league. It's foolish for either Pogge or Timo not to be playing every night and this is perfect."
Certainly it's good for the Ducks. And, at this time of the season it's not that much of a problem (barring injury) for the Condors, as they only play on Friday and Saturday nights for the next three weekends.
McNab said he didn't know how long Pogge might remain in San Antonio, but said "it will be a while."
Pogge, the No. 3 goaltender in Anaheim's system, went from NHL training camp to San Antonio but was sent to Bakersfield before the ECHL season started when it was apparent he would not play in San Antonio. He has played in nine games for Bakersfield and is 6-2-0 with a 2.69 goals-against average and .902 save percentage.
Pielmeier is 6-4-0 with a 3.03 GAA and .886 save percentage. However, he is 4-0-1 over his last five starts with a 2.00 GAA and .922 save percentage.
"After the Las Vegas weekend when Timo played three games in three nights in two cities (while Pogge was called up to Anaheim), I'm not worried that he can't play two this weekend and two next weekend," McNab said.
The Condors are loaded with AHL prospects due to the fact that Anaheim doesn't have it's own AHL affiliate. McNab said he is willing to send some of those players to the AHL, but only if the fit is right.
Rookie center MacGregor Sharp remains in Anaheim after being called up the the NHL (due to injuries) on Nov. 18 and winger Dan Sexton made his AHL debut with Manitoba on Wednesday night after putting up 26 points in 18 games with the Condors.
"We've had teams say we'd like to bring in player X and Y for two weeks," McNab said. "We're not auditioning our players. If (an AHL team) likes them, think they can help and will play them that's different. We're very careful in what we're doing."
Condors coach Marty Raymond has also been careful as he has kept extra players on the roster for moments just like these.
"I knew (call ups) were going to happen," he said. "You need to have 21 or 22 guys. You really have no choice. If you don't, you get call-ups, some injuries and then you're down to 13, 14 skaters and thihngs get worse. Those guys are working harder, they start getting sick and maybe injured.
"Guys (who haven't been playing) know they will get their chance and that's what's happening."
Teddy Bear Toss a must see
The Condors play host to the Las Vegas Wranglers on Friday and Saturday night with the 11th annual Teddy Bear Toss set for Saturday.
The Teddy Bear Toss game is simply the feel-good game of the season and should not be missed. And it's always a good idea to get tickets early (one doesn't want to be waiting in line outside the arena if the Condors score early) as four of the top 10 games in attendance have come on Teddy Bear Toss night.
Fans are encouraged to bring stuffed animals to the game and toss them on the ice when the Condors score their first goal. The stuffed animals will go to the United Way of Kern County and be distributed to needy children.
Last year a Condors record 7,614 stuffed animals were tossed on the ice by 8,900 fans --the second-largest crowd in team history.
Fans have tossed more than 50,000 stuffed animals on the ice over the past 10 years.
Slap shots
After further review, it turns out that Eric Lizon did not suffer significant damage to his hand on Saturday night during a pair of fights. He has skated with the team this week and is expected to be in the lineup on Friday.
Not practicing with the team as of yet is Ryan Donally, who was assigned to the Condors by San Antonio of the AHL last week. "Undisclosed injury," was all Condors coach Marty Raymond would say.
