As rookie goaltender Timo Pielmeier was working his way toward stopping 29 shots in Bakersfield’s 2-1 win over Victoria on Wednesday night, fellow goaltender Justin Pogge was already en route to Victoria Island.
After summoning Pogge to Anaheim as the Condors headed to Victoria on Tuesday, the Ducks had him back on plane Wednesday evening as it turned out Anaheim goaltender J.P. Giguere, who had a groin strain, was good to go.
The close-but-no-cigar situation shows just how close Pogge, and other players assigned to Bakersfield by Anaheim, could be to seeing NHL action this season.
Condors coach Marty Raymond said he was proud of the effort of his team after a long travel day. The Condors left Bakersfield at 4 a.m. for a early-morning flight out of Fresno, where they sat until a 1 p.m. flight due to miscommunicated travel changes. The team, due to arrive in Victoria around noon, ended up on the island at 7 p.m.
“It was a pretty good effort, considering what happened,” Raymond said.
And a really good effort for Pielmeier, who rebounded after a tough pro debut.
“I’m very happy with Timo,” Raymond said. “He needed that type of game. It shows he has confidence and is a good goaltender. He kept us in the game in the first period.”
 Raymond wouldn’t say which goaltender would be in net on Friday night, but with Pogge obviously just one injury away from Anaheim, it’s a good bet the No. 3 goaltender in Anaheim’s system could be getting the nod.