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With Ducks’ Jonas Hiller ill, Timo Pielmeier recalled from Syracuse

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Ducks goaltender Jonas Hiller, who was a standout in last Sunday’s NHL All-Star Game -- but was less than stellar against San Jose a few days later -- is suffering from fatigue and light-headedness and won’t play Saturday at Colorado, a club spokesman said Friday.

As a result, the Ducks recalled goaltender Timo Pielmeier from Syracuse of the American Hockey League. He will back up Curtis McElhinney against the Avalanche.

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Pielmeier, 21, was recalled once before but didn’t play. In 27 games for Syracuse this season he was 10-14-1 with a 3.33 goals-against average and .901 save percentage. The Ducks acquired him from San Jose with Nick Bonino in exchange for Kent Huskins and Travis Moen on Mar. 4, 2009.

A club spokesman said the Ducks have 24 active players on their roster -- one over the limit -- but are using one of their two 48-hour goaltender exemptions to bring up Pielmeier. Under that exemption, teams can recall a goalie for up to 48 hours as the 24th player.

Pielmeier’s lack of NHL experience is one reason the Ducks have inquired about free agent goalie Ray Emery. General Manager Bob Murray said Friday the Ducks ‘aren’t the only ones’ interested in Emery.

Should they sign Emery, by the way, he would not have to pass through waivers because he hasn’t played this season. So there’s no risk of losing him, as the Red Wings did when they signed Evgeni Nabokov only be stymied when the New York Islanders put in a claim. Nabokov has refused to report to the Islanders.

-- Helene Elliott

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