Shutout is unbearable

Fan promotion is lone bright spot

What fun is a Teddy Bear toss without any goals?

Milwaukee was shut out for the fourth time this season, losing, 4-0, to the Chicago Wolves on Saturday night as the 6,676 fans in attendance were denied the chance to throw their furry friends onto the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena ice after a goal by the Admirals.

“It’s pretty sad,” Admirals goalie Marek Mazanec said. “I was just telling the boys it’s not good for our fans to carry those teddy bears all the way to the rink and then have to bring them back home.”

At least they got the chance in the second intermission — Mazanec was in the locker room — as 1,786 stuffed animals were chucked to the ice to be donated to charity.

“They did? Cool,” Mazanec said. “It’s always frustrating when you don’t score a goal.”

That was the lone highlight of the game, as Chicago scored three times in the final 6 minutes 39 seconds of the game, including a power-play goal and an empty-net goal, to increase its point streak to 10 straight games since losing at Milwaukee on Feb. 11.

“We’re definitely not disappointed in the way we played the game 5on-5,” Admirals coach Dean Evason said. “We didn’t think we gave them much. We didn’t generate enough probably offensively, but it was a real good game until they caught a couple of breaks and we did not.”

Chicago’s first goal came midway through the second period, as Milwaukee’s offense continues to struggle in that frame. In the middle period of the last four games, the Admirals have been outscored, 6-0, and averaged just 6.5 shots.

They managed only four shots against Chicago, and that includes three power plays in the first 9:30 of the second period.

Chicago’s Kenny Agostino tried his best to help Milwaukee get a goal on the man advantage, as he was called for hooking and then interference just 3 seconds after he left the penalty box.

But not only did the Wolves, ranked sixth in the American Hockey League on the penalty kill, survive, they were put on their own power play 8 seconds after Agostino left the box again.

Andrew Agozzino capitalized on Derek Army’s holding penalty by scoring with 9:21 left, and he didn’t even use his stick.

Agostino, who began the night leading the league with 49 assists and 70 points, had the puck at the top of the left circle when he slid it through the slot.

The puck bounced off Agozzino’s skate and past the right side of Mazanec, who was sliding back from the opposite post.

The play was reviewed and stood.